Table 3.
Treatment of babesiosis.
Treatment | Dose | Frequency |
---|---|---|
Atovaquone and azithromycin | ||
Atovaquone | Adult: 750 mg | Every 12 hours |
Child: 20 mg/kg | Every 12 hours | |
(maximum 750 mg/dose) | ||
Azithromycin | Adult: 500 to 1000 mg | On day 1 |
250 to 1000 mg | On subsequent days | |
Child: 10 mg/kg | On day 1 | |
(maximum 500 mg/dose) | ||
5 mg/kg | On subsequent days | |
(maximum 250 mg/dose) | ||
Clindamycin and quinine | ||
Clindamycin | Adult: 600 mg | Every 8 hours |
Child: 7–10 mg/kg | Every 6–8 hours | |
(maximum 600 mg/dose) | ||
Intravenous administration | ||
Adult: 300–600 mg | Every 6 hours | |
Child: 7–10 mg/kg | Every 6–8 hours | |
(maximum 600 mg/dose) | ||
Quinine | Adult: 650 mg | Every 6–8 hours |
Child: 8 mg/kg | Every 8 hours | |
(maximum 650 mg/dose) |
All antibiotics are administered by mouth unless otherwise specified. All doses are administered for 7 to 10 days except for persistent relapsing infection (see text). For immunocompromised patients experiencing babesiosis, successful outcome has been reported using atovaquone combined with higher doses of azithromycin (600–1000 mg per day) [78].
Complete or partial exchange transfusion should be considered for treatment of severe babesiosis.