Pancytopenia due to hemophagocytic syndrome as the presenting manifestation of babesiosis

Am J Hematol. 1995 Sep;50(1):60-2. doi: 10.1002/ajh.2830500113.

Abstract

We present a case of hemophagocytosis during infection with the intraërythrocytic protozoan Babesia microti in a 47-year-old splenectomized renal allograft recipient. After therapy with clindamycin and quinine a relapse responded to atovaquone; durable remission was not achieved until trimethoprim/sulfa was added. We postulate the severity of our patient's syndrome was due to splenectomy and chronic immunosuppression. Babesiosis should be considered when immunocompromised patients develop pancytopenia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Babesiosis / complications*
  • Histiocytosis, Non-Langerhans-Cell / complications*
  • Histiocytosis, Non-Langerhans-Cell / etiology
  • Humans
  • Kidney Transplantation*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pancytopenia / etiology*
  • Splenectomy