Post by Admin/ Traveler on Sept 27, 2017 18:57:33 GMT
A Cluster of Cases of Babesia Microti Among Neonates Traced to a Single Unit of Donor Blood
Babesia cases among 3 premature babies
The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal. Publish Ahead of Print():, SEP 2017
Julia R. Glanternik; Ian L Baine; Christopher A. Tormey; Michelle R. Rychalsky; Robert S. Baltimore
Abstract
Three premature infants in one neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) developed transfusion-transmitted babesiosis. Two of the infants developed high-grade parasitemia. All three affected infants were treated and cured with azithromycin and atovaquone. No infant required exchange transfusion. Clinicians should be cognizant that babesiosis may be acquired via blood transfusion.
But wait! There's more to this! Here is an older report from 2011 that states that this is not so uncommon:
ORIGINAL RESEARCH |18 OCTOBER 2011
Transfusion-Associated Babesiosis in the United States: A Description of Cases
Transfusion-associated Babesiosis
Objective:
To ascertain and summarize data on U.S. transfusion-associated Babesia cases identified since the first described case in 1979.
Design:
Case series.
Setting:
United States.
Patients:
Case patients were transfused during 1979–2009 and had posttransfusion Babesia infection diagnosed by 2010, without reported evidence that another transmission route was more likely than transfusion. Implicated donors had laboratory evidence of infection. Potential cases were excluded if all pertinent donors tested negative.
Measurements:
Distributions of ascertained cases according to Babesia species and period and state of transfusion.
Results:
159 transfusion-associated B. microti cases were included; donors were implicated for 136 (86%). The case patients' median age was 65 years (range, <1 to 94 years). Most cases were associated with red blood cell components; 4 were linked to whole blood–derived platelets. Cases occurred in all 4 seasons and in 22 (of 31) years, but 77% (122 cases) occurred during 2000–2009. Cases occurred in 19 states, but 87% (138 cases) were in the 7 main B. microti–endemic states. In addition, 3 B. duncani cases were documented in western states.
Limitation:
The extent to which cases were not diagnosed, investigated, reported, or ascertained is unknown.
Conclusion:
Donor-screening strategies that mitigate the risk for transfusion transmission are needed. Babesiosis should be included in the differential diagnosis of unexplained posttransfusion hemolytic anemia or fever, regardless of the season or U.S. region.
Context
Babesiosis, a parasitic infection transmitted through tick bites, can also be acquired via blood transfusion and may result in life-threatening disease. There is no U.S. Food and Drug Administration–licensed test to screen blood donors for Babesia infection.
Contribution
The risk for transfusion-associated Babesia infection may be increasing. Cases have occurred year-round and have been seen in states where Babesia species are not endemic.
Caution
Although the cases ascribed to transfusion undoubtedly represent a fraction of those that occurred, some tickborne cases inadvertently might have been included.
Implication
Improvements in the prevention and detection of transfusion-associated babesiosis are urgently needed.
—The Editors
Babesia cases among 3 premature babies
The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal. Publish Ahead of Print():, SEP 2017
Julia R. Glanternik; Ian L Baine; Christopher A. Tormey; Michelle R. Rychalsky; Robert S. Baltimore
Abstract
Three premature infants in one neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) developed transfusion-transmitted babesiosis. Two of the infants developed high-grade parasitemia. All three affected infants were treated and cured with azithromycin and atovaquone. No infant required exchange transfusion. Clinicians should be cognizant that babesiosis may be acquired via blood transfusion.
But wait! There's more to this! Here is an older report from 2011 that states that this is not so uncommon:
ORIGINAL RESEARCH |18 OCTOBER 2011
Transfusion-Associated Babesiosis in the United States: A Description of Cases
Transfusion-associated Babesiosis
Objective:
To ascertain and summarize data on U.S. transfusion-associated Babesia cases identified since the first described case in 1979.
Design:
Case series.
Setting:
United States.
Patients:
Case patients were transfused during 1979–2009 and had posttransfusion Babesia infection diagnosed by 2010, without reported evidence that another transmission route was more likely than transfusion. Implicated donors had laboratory evidence of infection. Potential cases were excluded if all pertinent donors tested negative.
Measurements:
Distributions of ascertained cases according to Babesia species and period and state of transfusion.
Results:
159 transfusion-associated B. microti cases were included; donors were implicated for 136 (86%). The case patients' median age was 65 years (range, <1 to 94 years). Most cases were associated with red blood cell components; 4 were linked to whole blood–derived platelets. Cases occurred in all 4 seasons and in 22 (of 31) years, but 77% (122 cases) occurred during 2000–2009. Cases occurred in 19 states, but 87% (138 cases) were in the 7 main B. microti–endemic states. In addition, 3 B. duncani cases were documented in western states.
Limitation:
The extent to which cases were not diagnosed, investigated, reported, or ascertained is unknown.
Conclusion:
Donor-screening strategies that mitigate the risk for transfusion transmission are needed. Babesiosis should be included in the differential diagnosis of unexplained posttransfusion hemolytic anemia or fever, regardless of the season or U.S. region.
Context
Babesiosis, a parasitic infection transmitted through tick bites, can also be acquired via blood transfusion and may result in life-threatening disease. There is no U.S. Food and Drug Administration–licensed test to screen blood donors for Babesia infection.
Contribution
The risk for transfusion-associated Babesia infection may be increasing. Cases have occurred year-round and have been seen in states where Babesia species are not endemic.
Caution
Although the cases ascribed to transfusion undoubtedly represent a fraction of those that occurred, some tickborne cases inadvertently might have been included.
Implication
Improvements in the prevention and detection of transfusion-associated babesiosis are urgently needed.
—The Editors