Clinical Information

Anaplasma phagocytophilum, an intracellular rickettsia-like bacterium, preferentially infects granulocytes and forms inclusion bodies, referred to as morulae. A phagocytophilum is transmitted by Ixodes species ticks, which also transmit Borrelia burgdorferi and Babesia species. Infection with A phagocytophilum is also referred to as human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA) and symptoms in otherwise healthy individuals are often mild and nonspecific, including fever, myalgia, arthralgia, and nausea. Clues to the diagnosis of anaplasmosis in a patient with an acute febrile illness after tick exposure include laboratory findings of leukopenia or thrombocytopenia and elevated liver enzymes. HGA is most prevalent in the upper Midwest and in other areas of the United States that are endemic for Lyme disease.

Ehrlichia chaffeensis is an intracellular rickettsia-like bacterium that preferentially infects monocytes and is sequestered in parasitophorous vacuoles referred to as morulae. Infections with E chaffeensis are also referred to as human monocytotropic ehrlichiosis (HME). E chaffeensis is transmitted by Amblyomma species ticks, which are found throughout the southeastern and south-central United States.

Many cases of HME are subclinical or mild, however, the infection can be severe and life-threatening, particularly in immunosuppressed individuals. Reported mortality rates range from 2% to 3%. Fever, fatigue, malaise, headache, and other "flu-like" symptoms occur most commonly. Leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and elevated hepatic transaminases are frequent laboratory findings.