Medicine:Ehrlichiosis ewingii infection
| Human ewingii ehrlichiosis | |
|---|---|
| Specialty | Infectious disease |
Ehrlichiosis ewingii infection[1] is an infectious disease caused by an intracellular bacteria, Ehrlichia ewingii.[2] The infection is transmitted to humans by the tick, Amblyomma americanum. This tick can also transmit Ehrlichia chaffeensis, the bacteria that causes human monocytic ehrlichiosis (HME).
Symptoms and signs
Patients can present with fever, headache, myalgias, and malaise. Laboratory tests may reveal thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, and evidence of liver damage.[citation needed]
Mechanism
Humans contract the disease after a bite by an infected tick of the species Amblyomma americanum.[citation needed] Those with an underlying immunodeficiency (such as HIV) appear to be at greater risk of contracting the disease. Compared to HME, ewingii ehrlichiosis has a decreased incidence of complications.[3]
Like Anaplasma phagocytophilum, the causative agent of human granulocytic ehrlichiosis, Ehrlichia ewingii infects neutrophils. Infection with E. ewingii may delay neutrophil apoptosis.[4]
Diagnosis
In endemic areas, a high index of suspicion is warranted, especially with a known exposure to ticks. The diagnosis can be confirmed by using PCR.[5] A peripheral blood smear can also be examined for intracytoplasmic inclusions called morulae.[citation needed]
Treatment
The treatment of choice is doxycycline.[citation needed]
See also
- Human monocytic ehrlichiosis
- Human granulocytic ehrlichiosis
- Ehrlichiosis (canine)
References
- ↑ Rapini, Ronald P.; Bolognia, Jean L.; Jorizzo, Joseph L. (2007). Dermatology: 2-Volume Set. St. Louis: Mosby. pp. 1130. ISBN 978-1-4160-2999-1.
- ↑ Patnaik MM (June 2009). "Inclusion bodies in tick-borne diseases diagnosed in patients from northern Wisconsin". Clin Med Res 7 (1–2): 45–7. doi:10.3121/cmr.2009.807.818. PMID 19574488.
- ↑ "Infections with Ehrlichia chaffeensis and Ehrlichia ewingii in persons coinfected with human immunodeficiency virus". Clinical Infectious Diseases 33 (9): 1586–94. November 2001. doi:10.1086/323981. PMID 11568857.
- ↑ "Ehrlichia ewingii infection delays spontaneous neutrophil apoptosis through stabilization of mitochondria". The Journal of Infectious Diseases 197 (8): 1110–8. April 2008. doi:10.1086/533457. PMID 18462160.
- ↑ Gusa, Aa; Buller, Rs; Storch, Ga; Huycke, Mm; MacHado, Lj; Slater, Ln; Stockham, Sl; Massung, Rf (Nov 2001). "Identification of a p28 gene in Ehrlichia ewingii: evaluation of gene for use as a target for a species-specific PCR diagnostic assay.". Journal of Clinical Microbiology 39 (11): 3871–6. doi:10.1128/JCM.39.11.3871-3876.2001. PMID 11682500.
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