Clinical and Molecular Characterization of a Near Fatal Case of Human Babesiosis in Austria

A previously healthy febrile patient with travel history to Nicaragua showed rapid clinical deterioration with hemodynamic shock and anuria. Diagnosis of severe malaria was established based on intra-erythrocytic parasites and antimalarial treatment was initiated. However, upon reevaluation Babesia microti infection was suspected and molecular characterization by polymerase chain reaction and sequence analysis was performed.