Summary
- Tick-borne emerging infection caused by bacteria from Anaplasmataceae family (Ehrlichia and Anaplasma genera).
- All 3 types of human ehrlichioses are nationally notifiable diseases.
- Seasonality is due to higher likelihood of tick exposure/bite when people spend more time outdoors.
- Presumptive diagnosis is made in patients with potential tick exposure/demonstrated tick bite combined with fever and other characteristic constitutional symptoms plus leukopenia and/or thrombocytopenia and elevated LFTs.
- Treatment with either a tetracycline antibiotic or rifampicin should be started immediately.
Other related conditions
- Cholecystitis
- Acute renal failure
- Rhabdomyolysis
- Disseminated intravascular coagulation
- Typhoid infection
- Myocarditis
- Sepsis
- Acute respiratory distress syndrome
- Viral meningitis
- Rocky Mountain spotted fever
- Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura
- Assessment of cranial nerve mononeuropathy
- HIV-related opportunistic infections
- Tularaemia
- Babesiosis
Last updated: Dec 28, 2012
