biostudies-literatureUnknown12Ji SHuman babesiosis is a global emerging tick-borne disease caused by infection with intra-erythrocytic parasites of the genus <i>Babesia</i>. With the rise in human babesiosis cases, the discovery and development of new anti-<i>Babesia</i> drugs are essential. Phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase (PI4K) is a widely present eukaryotic enzyme that phosphorylates lipids to regulate intracellular signaling and trafficking. Previously, we have shown that MMV390048, an inhibitor of PI4K, showed potent inhibition against <i>Babesia</i> species, revealing PI4K as a druggable target for babesiosis. However, twice-administered, 7-day regimens failed to clear <i>Babesia microti</i> parasites from the immunocompromised host. Hence, in this study, we wanted to clarify whether targeting PI4K has the potential foFrontiers in cellular and infection microbiology1048962https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9701728biostudies-literaturePhosphatidylinositol 4-kinase is a viable target for the radical cure of <i>Babesia microti</i> infection in immunocompromised hosts.PMC9701728Ji SAsada MLiu MYanagawa MXuan XZafar IGalon EMAmer MMZhou JfalsePhosphatidylinositol 4-kinase is a viable target for the radical cure of <i>Babesia microti</i> infection in immunocompromised hosts.Human babesiosis is a global emerging tick-borne disease caused by infection with intra-erythrocytic parasites of the genus <i>Babesia</i>. With the rise in human babesiosis cases, the discovery and development of new anti-<i>Babesia</i> drugs are essential. Phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase (PI4K) is a widely present eukaryotic enzyme that phosphorylates lipids to regulate intracellular signaling and trafficking. Previously, we have shown that MMV390048, an inhibitor of PI4K, showed potent inhibition against <i>Babesia</i> species, revealing PI4K as a druggable target for babesiosis. However, twice-administered, 7-day regimens failed to clear <i>Babesia microti</i> parasites from the immunocompromised host. Hence, in this study, we wanted to clarify whether targeting PI4K has the potential fo2022-01-01T00:00:00Z20222025-04-19T22:48:47.856Z2025-04-19T22:48:47.856ZS-EPMC97017283645230510.3389/fcimb.2022.1048962