A Case of Babesiosis in a Pregnant Patient Treated with Red Blood Cell Exchange Transfusion

Abstract EN

Babesiosis, caused predominantly by Babesia microti, is an emerging health risk in the Northeastern and Midwestern United States.

We present a case of a pregnant woman with history of splenectomy diagnosed with babesiosis at 23 5/7 weeks of gestational age refractory to antimicrobial therapy.

She underwent the first reported red blood cell exchange transfusion for babesiosis in pregnancy, at 24 4/7 weeks of gestational age, which resulted in resolution of parasitemia.

She had a full term, uncomplicated cesarean delivery.

Exchange transfusion is potentially a safe treatment option for severe babesiosis infection in pregnancy and should be considered when other methods are poorly tolerated or ineffective.