What is ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis?
Table of Contents
What is ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis?
Anaplasmosis and Ehrlichiosis are two closely related tick-borne bacterial diseases spread by the bite of infected ticks. Anaplasmosis, formerly called human granulocytic ehrlichiosis (HGE), is spread to humans by blacklegged deer ticks infected with the bacterium, Anaplasma phagocytophilia.
What is a ehrlichiosis?
Ehrlichiosis is an illness caused by bacteria. It is spread by ticks. The illness causes fever, muscle aches, and other symptoms. It’s an uncommon illness that can affect people of all ages. It happens most often in the spring and summer months.
What does anaplasmosis mean?
Anaplasmosis is a disease caused by the bacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilum. These bacteria are spread to people by tick bites primarily from the blacklegged tick (Ixodes scapularis) and the western blacklegged tick (Ixodes pacificus). People with anaplasmosis will often have fever, headache, chills, and muscle aches.
How is ehrlichiosis diagnosis?
Diagnosis and Tests Your doctor diagnoses ehrlichiosis with a careful history and physical examination asking about tick exposure, tick bites or maybe the rash. Blood tests to confirm the presence of the bacterium causing ehrlichiosis and other lab abnormalities may be necessary such as blood counts and liver tests.
What causes ehrlichiosis?
Ehrlichiosis home These bacteria are spread to people primarily through the bite of infected ticks including the lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum) and the blacklegged tick (Ixodes scapularis). People with ehrlichiosis will often have fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, and sometimes upset stomach.
Where is anaplasmosis found?
Anaplasmosis is most frequently reported from the Upper Midwest and northeastern United States in areas that correspond with the known geographic distribution of Lyme disease and other Ixodes scapularis-transmitted diseases. Due to the common vector, co-infection with A. phagocytophilum and B.
How is anaplasmosis treated?
Treatment
- Doxycycline is the treatment of choice for anaplasmosis, and all other tickborne rickettsial diseases.
- Doxycycline is most effective at preventing severe complications from developing if it is started early in the course of disease.
How is anaplasmosis diagnosed?
The standard serologic test for diagnosis of anaplasmosis is the indirect immunofluorescence antibody (IFA) assay for immunoglobulin G (IgG) using A. phagocytophilum antigen.
What is the symptoms of ehrlichiosis?
Fever, chills. Severe headache. Muscle aches. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite.
What are the symptoms of anaplasmosis?
The signs and symptoms of anaplasmosis may include:
- Fever.
- Severe headache.
- Muscle aches.
- Chills and shaking.
- Less frequent symptoms of anaplasmosis include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, weight loss, abdominal pain, cough, diarrhea, aching joints and change in mental status.
What is the difference between Ehrlichia and Anaplasma?
Ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis are caused by rickettsial-like bacteria. Ehrlichiosis is caused mainly by Ehrlichia chaffeensis; anaplasmosis is caused by Anaplasma phagocytophilum. Both are transmitted to humans by ticks. Symptoms resemble those of Rocky Mountain spotted fever except that a rash is much less common.
How is ehrlichiosis treated?
Treatment
- Doxycycline is the treatment of choice for ehrlichiosis and all other tickborne rickettsial diseases.
- Doxycycline is most effective at preventing severe complications from developing if it is started within the first week of illness.
What bacteria causes ehrlichiosis?
Ehrlichiosis is the general name used to describe diseases caused by the bacteria Ehrlichia chaffeensis, E. ewingii, or E. muris eauclairensis in the United States.
Which tick causes anaplasmosis?
Anaplasmosis is a bacterial disease transmitted to humans by Ixodes scapularis (blacklegged tick or deer tick), the same tick that transmits Lyme disease. The tick must be attached at least 12-24 hours to transmit the bacteria that cause anaplasmosis. Not all ticks carry these bacteria.
