A new study (in Diagnostic Microbiology & Infectious Disease) by mainstream Lyme clinician/researcher Gary Wormser on Rituximab prescribed for RA, when the patient contracts Babesia. I thought it might be relevant as I recall a couple discussions on what might happen if ME/CFS patients were treated with Rituximab and had a TBD like Lyme.
Persistence of babesiosis for >2 years in a patient on rituximab for rheumatoid arthritis
John Raffalli, Gary P. Wormser
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2016.02.016
Highlights
We report a patient who was being treated with rituximab for rheumatoid arthritis who developed Babesia microti infection that persisted for 26 months despite prolonged anti-babesia drug therapy. The explanation for the persistence was likely to have been the long-term immunocompromising effects of rituximab, as evidenced by seronegativity for B. microti antibodies that lasted for more than 1 year after onset of infection.
Persistence of babesiosis for >2 years in a patient on rituximab for rheumatoid arthritis
John Raffalli, Gary P. Wormser
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2016.02.016
Highlights
- •A patient with rheumatoid arthritis on rituximab developed Babesia microti infection.
- •Babesiosis persisted for 26 months despite prolonged anti-babesia drug therapy.
- •The case illustrates the detrimental effects of rituximab on clearance of babesiosis.
- •The immunosuppressive effects of rituximab may last for ~18 months post-treatment.
- •Patients on rituximab in babesia endemic areas should avoid deer tick bites.
We report a patient who was being treated with rituximab for rheumatoid arthritis who developed Babesia microti infection that persisted for 26 months despite prolonged anti-babesia drug therapy. The explanation for the persistence was likely to have been the long-term immunocompromising effects of rituximab, as evidenced by seronegativity for B. microti antibodies that lasted for more than 1 year after onset of infection.
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