Newly Discovered Ehrlichia Species Implicated in Human Infection

A novel species was detected in four patients from Wisconsin and Minnesota; its DNA was identified in ticks collected near the patients' homes.

Tickborne zoonoses are important human illnesses that are often misdiagnosed. Early after infection, fever and headache may be the only complaints; the seasonality and limited geographic distribution of these illnesses can hinder their consideration in the differential diagnosis of nonspecific febrile illness.

From June 1 through December 31, 2009, 4247 blood samples from patients throughout the U.S. with suspected ehrlichiosis or anaplasmosis were sent to the Mayo Clinic for testing. Three specimens from Wisconsin and one from Minnesota showed positive — but atypical — polymerase chain reaction results. Subsequent DNA sequencing of samples from the four patients involved revealed a previously unknown species of Ehrlichia that is closely rel…

Reviewing Author

Larry M. Baddour, MD

Disclosures

RoyaltiesUpToDate, Inc. (Authorship duties)

Larry M. Baddour, MD

Disclosures

RoyaltiesUpToDate, Inc. (Authorship duties)