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Updated: Feb 25, 2026

Continuous Manual Exchange Transfusion for Patients with Sickle Cell Disease: An Efficient Method to Avoid Iron Overload
Published on: March 14, 2017
Transfusion-transmitted babesiosis leading to severe hemolysis in two patients with sickle cell anemia
Kristine Karkoska1, James Louie2, Abena O Appiah-Kubi3
1Department of Pediatrics, Cohen Children's Medical Center of New York, New Hyde Park, New York.
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.
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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