Abstract
Human infections with Babesia species, in particular Babesia microti, are tickborne 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.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1109-1115 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy |
| Volume | 3 |
| Issue number | 8 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 2002 |
Keywords
- Atovaquone
- Azithromycin
- Babesia microti
- Babesiosis
- Clindamycin
- Protozoa
- Quinine
- Treatment
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pharmacology
- Pharmacology (medical)
