Advancements in Babesia Research and Clinical Implications | With Dr. Choukri Ben Mamoun and Dr. Tim Sellati

Summary

In this conversation, I’m joined by Dr. Choukri Ben Mamoun and Dr. Tim Sellati to discuss Dr. Ben Mamoun’s recent study on the use of combination therapy for the treatment of Babesia infection entitled: Tafenoquine-Atovaquone Combination Achieves Radical Cure and Confers Sterile Immunity in Experimental Models of Human Babesiosis. 

We explore the key findings of the study, including the use of immunocompromised mouse models and the potential for long-lasting immunity. The conversation also delves into the importance of understanding the differences between tick-borne infections and the challenges of translating research findings into clinical practice. The discussion highlights the need for further research on dosing and the therapeutic index of different drugs.

Overall, the conversation provides valuable insights into the current understanding of Babesia treatment and the potential for future advancements. The conversation covers topics such as combination therapy and resistance, dormant parasites and relapse, terminology and immunocompromised, immune dysregulation and cold exposure, diagnostic testing for Babesia, improving diagnostic testing, and the goal of helping patients.

Key Takeaways

Combination therapy with tafenoquine and atovaquone has shown promising results in the treatment of Babesia infection.

Immunocompromised mouse models are valuable tools for studying the efficacy of different treatments.

Understanding the differences between tick-borne infections is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment.

Further research is needed to determine optimal dosing and the therapeutic index of different drugs for Babesia treatment.

Recrudescence and treatment failure are important considerations in Babesia treatment. 

Combination therapy can reduce the probability of resistance in parasites.

Dormant parasites may be responsible for relapse in Babesia infections.

The terminology used in scientific research may differ from the general public's understanding.

Factors like sleep, stress, and nutrition can contribute to immunocompromised states.

Diagnostic testing for Babesia needs improvement to reduce false negatives and false positives.

The ultimate goal is to help patients get better by finding the right diagnosis and treatment.

There is a need for collaboration between clinicians, researchers, and patients to advance the understanding and treatment of tick-borne infections.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Overview

03:00 The Study and Key Findings

06:35 Understanding the Research and Clinical Implications

11:56 The Importance of Animal Models

14:43 Immunocompromised Mouse Models

23:22 Differences Between Tick-Borne Infections

26:34 Combination Therapy: Tafenoquine and Atovaquone

32:26 Dosing and Therapeutic Index

36:48 Artemisinin as a Treatment Option

46:20 Recrudescence and Treatment Failure

48:23 Combination Therapy and Resistance

50:24 Dormant Parasites and Relapse

53:18 Terminology and Immunocompromised

56:15 Immune Dysregulation and Cold Exposure

59:14 Diagnostic Testing for Babesia

01:03:22 Improving Diagnostic Testing

01:12:12 The Goal of Helping Patients

01:20:22 Caring and Finding the Truth

Link to the paper we discussed:

Tafenoquine-Atovaquone Combination Achieves Radical Cure and Confers Sterile Immunity in Experimental Models of Human Babesiosis - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38169301/

Learn More About My Guests:

Choukri Ben Mamoun, PhD - Professor of Medicine (Infectious Diseases) and of Microbial Pathogenesis; Affiliated Faculty, Yale Institute for Global Health https://medicine.yale.edu/profile/choukri-benmamoun/

Timothy Sellati, PhD - Chief Scientific Officer, Global Lyme Alliance https://www.globallymealliance.org/

Learn more about Dr. Tom’s Lyme Disease Practitioner Training program.