Relapsed Babesia microti Infection Following Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation in a Patient With B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Case Report and Review of the Literature. (21st June 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rosenblatt, Joshua; Leung, Annie; Baneman, Emily; Fuller, Risa; Taimur, Sarah; Paniz-Mondolfi, Alberto E; Malone, Adriana K; Kirkman, Laura; Jacobs, Samantha E
• Is Part Of: Open forum infectious diseases. Volume 8:Number 9(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-06-21
• Subjects: Babesia microti -- babesiosis -- hematopoietic cell transplantation -- immunocompromised host -- tick-borne pathogens; Communicable diseases -- Periodicals; Medical microbiology -- Periodicals; Infection -- Periodicals; 616.9
• DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofab323
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2328-8957

Abstract

Abstract: A patient with relapsed/refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia developed babesiosis before allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation while on atovaquone for Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia prophylaxis. Despite receiving a prolonged course of atovaquone and azithromycin until whole-blood Babesia microti DNA was no longer detected by polymerase chain reaction, her post-transplant course was complicated by relapsed babesiosis. We investigate the potential host and parasite characteristics causing relapsing/persistent infection.