Babesia microti Variant With Multiple Resistance Mutations Detected in an Immunocompromised Patient Receiving Atovaquone Prophylaxis

Abstract

We report Babesia microti genomic sequences with multiple mutations in the atovaquone-target region of cytochrome b, including a newly identified Y272S mutation, plus 1 mutation of undetermined significance in the azithromycin-associated ribosomal protein L4. The parasite was sequenced from an immunocompromised patient on prophylactic atovaquone for Pneumocystis pneumonia before diagnosis of babesiosis.

Keywords: Babesia microti; atovaquone; babesiosis; immunocompromised; resistance.