Spontaneous splenic rupture caused by Babesia microti infection

Abstract

Babesiosis has not been previously associated with spontaneous splenic rupture. We describe an otherwise healthy 61-year-old man with symptomatic babesiosis whose spleen ruptured during hospitalization. Although this complication is rare, practitioners who commonly treat patients with babesiosis should be aware of its potential occurrence. © 2008 by the Infectious Diseases Society of America. All rights reserved.