SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Babesiosis and Other Tickborne Diseases

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This poster describes a 77-year-old man in Pennsylvania with fever, night sweats, chills, and fatigue for three weeks. He had a recent tick bite and a history of Lyme disease. Initial labs showed anemia, thrombocytopenia, mild liver enzyme elevation, and elevated bilirubin. A peripheral blood smear confirmed Babesia microti infection with 2% parasitemia. Lyme serology was also positive for both IgG and IgM, suggesting possible Lyme co-infection, though it was unclear whether this represented a new or prior infection.<br /><br />He was treated with azithromycin, atovaquone, and doxycycline. After starting appropriate therapy, his pancytopenia gradually improved and fully resolved by the end of treatment.<br /><br />The discussion emphasizes that babesiosis and Lyme disease are increasingly important tickborne illnesses in Pennsylvania, especially during warmer months. Both are commonly transmitted by Ixodes scapularis ticks and can occur together. Because their symptoms overlap with other infections, blood smear examination is important for diagnosis. The poster also notes that babesiosis cases have risen at Hershey Medical Center and across Pennsylvania in recent years.<br /><br />The conclusion highlights broader public health concerns: climate change and environmental changes are expanding tick habitats and contributing to more tickborne disease. The authors recommend patient education on tick avoidance, tick checks, proper tick removal, and when to seek medical care.

Asset Subtitle

Tiffany Bohr

Meta Tag

Author List Abby London, Sheila Nguyen, Tiffany Bohr

Category Clinical Vignettes

Concept Babesiosis

Concept Lyme Disease

Concept Tick-Borne Disease

Concept Parasitemia

Concept Ixodes scapularis

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization PennState Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

Presenting Author Tiffany Bohr

Track Adult

Keywords

babesiosis

Lyme disease

Babesia microti

tickborne illness

Ixodes scapularis

Pennsylvania

blood smear

co-infection

azithromycin

atovaquone

Babesiosis

Lyme Disease

Tick-Borne Disease

Parasitemia

Ixodes scapularis