Relapsing Babesiosis With Molecular Evidence of Resistance to Certain Antimicrobials Commonly Used to Treat Infections

Authors

Luis A. Marcos, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA.
Gary P. Wormser, Division of Infectious Diseases, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York, USA.

Author Type(s)

Faculty

Journal Title

Open Forum Infectious Diseases

First Page

ofad391

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

8-1-2023

Department

Medicine

Abstract

Human babesiosis cases are emerging with an increased incidence and a wider geographic range worldwide. Relapsing babesiosis cases are becoming more frequently encountered in clinical practice associated with the use of immunosuppressive medications. The 2020 Infectious Diseases Society of America babesiosis guideline recommends at least 6 weeks of antimicrobial treatment for highly immunocompromised patients with infection. Nevertheless, cases have relapsed even after 6 weeks of treatment. Genetic mutations regarded as the potential cause of antimicrobial resistance in have been identified in certain relapsing cases. A few alternative antimicrobial regimens have been used successfully to achieve cure for some of these cases, but other cases have had fatal outcomes. In this review, we discuss the molecular evidence of genetic resistance to certain antimicrobials commonly used to treat infections based on an evaluation of 9 patients with relapsing infection.

Recommended Citation

Marcos, L. A., & Wormser, G. P. (2023). Relapsing Babesiosis With Molecular Evidence of Resistance to Certain Antimicrobials Commonly Used to Treat Infections. Open Forum Infectious Diseases, 10 (8), ofad391. https://doi.org/10.1093/ofid/ofad391