A Two-Phase Approach to the Use of Tafenoquine Was Associated with Cure of Babesiosis in Two Immunocompromised Patients with Relapsing Babesiosis

Two immunocompromised patients with relapsing babesiosis were cured using a well-tolerated course of tafenoquine (171 and 212 days, respectively), with negative polymerase chain reactivity intentionally exceeding the 120-day lifespan of erythrocytes before discontinuing the tafenoquine. During the first 10 days of tafenoquine both patients also received an atovaquone-containing drug regimen. This was prescribed based on the demonstrated benefit of atovaquone on the efficacy of tafenoquine for completely eradicating B. microti in an animal study.