More about Ehrlichiosis

Ehrlichiosis is a group of bacteria that invades the white blood cells. There are two main forms of ehrlichiosis, human granulocytic ehrlichiosis (HGE), also known as human anaplasmosis, and human monocytic ehrlichiosis (HME).

Most cases of HGE are reported in the northeastern, mid-atlantic, and north central states where Lyme disease is endemic. It is transmitted by the bite of an infected deer tick.

CAES

HME is transmitted by the lone star tick (above) primarily in the southeastern and south central states.

Symptoms of Ehrlichiosis

Symptoms usually occur 5-10 days after the tick bite.

Symptoms are flu-like:

• fever, chills, malaise, and
• headache, muscle and joint pain, and
• nausea and vomiting.

Most patients show a decrease in white blood cell and platelet counts, and have elevated liver enzymes. Physicians should consider ehrlichiosis in the diagnosis of a patient with flu-like symptoms with altered blood values and liver enzymes, particularly if exposure to ticks is likely.