Babesiosis in humans: a treatment review.
Human infections with Babesia species, in particular Babesia microti, are tick-borne illnesses that are being recognised with increased frequency. Coinfection with ehrlichiosis and Lyme disease is also being recognised as an important feature of these tick-borne illnesses. Despite the superficial resemblance of Babesia to malaria, these piroplasms do not respond to chloroquine or other similar drugs. However, the treatment of babesiosis using a clindamycin-quinine combination has been successful. Data in animal models and case-reports in humans have suggested that an atovaquone-azithromycin combination is also effective. This was confirmed in a recent prospective, open, randomised trial of clindamycin-quinine versus azithromycin-atovaquone. This paper reviews the literature on the treatment of human babesiosis and the animal models of these human pathogens.
Weiss
Louis M
LM
Division of Infectious Diseases, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Room 504 Forchheimer Building, Bronx, New York, 10461, USA. lmweiss@aecom.yu.edu
D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D053626:Atovaquone; D017963:Azithromycin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D041001:Babesia microti / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D001404:Babesiosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002981:Clindamycin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D009285:Naphthoquinones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D009285:Naphthoquinones; D002981:Clindamycin; D017963:Azithromycin; D053626:Atovaquone