Babesiosis in humans: a treatment review
- PMID: 12150690
- DOI: 10.1517/14656566.3.8.1109
Babesiosis in humans: a treatment review
Abstract
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.
Comment in
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Acute respiratory distress syndrome following treatment for babesiosis.Expert Opin Pharmacother. 2002 Nov;3(11):1541-2. doi: 10.1517/14656566.3.11.1541. Expert Opin Pharmacother. 2002. PMID: 12437488 No abstract available.
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