Transfusion‐transmitted babesiosis leading to severe hemolysis in two patients with sickle cell anemia |
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| Authors: | Kristine Karkoska James Louie Abena O Appiah‐Kubi Lawrence Wolfe Lorry Rubin Sujatha Rajan Banu Aygun |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Pediatrics, Cohen Children's Medical Center of New York, New Hyde Park, New York;2. Division of Blood Banking/Transfusion Medicine, Northwell Health, New Hyde Park, New York;3. Division of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Department of Pediatrics, Cohen Children's Medical Center of New York, New Hyde Park, New York;4. Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Cohen Children's Medical Center of New York, New Hyde Park, New York |
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| Abstract: | The intracellular parasites Babesia microti and Babesia duncani can be transmitted by blood transfusion and cause severe life‐threatening hemolytic anemia in high‐risk patients, including those with sickle cell disease. The rarity of the diagnosis, as well as its similar clinical presentation to delayed hemolytic transfusion reaction, may lead to a delay in diagnosis, as well as inappropriate treatment with steroids or other immunosuppressive agents. The morbidity caused by this disease in especially vulnerable populations justifies the need for a universal blood‐screening program in endemic areas. |
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| Keywords: | autoimmune hemolytic anemia babesiosis blood transfusion sickle cell anemia
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