- bacterial infection
- two potentially deadly forms, human monocytic ehrlichiosis (HME) and human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA)
- estimated mortality rates are 2-5% for HME and 7-10% for HGA
- principal vector is tick
- most cases occur in spring and summer
- 1 - 2 week incubation period
- typically presents as febrile illness with nonspecific malaise, myalgia, headache, and chills.
- 30% of HME patients will have rash, making mnemonic, "ehrlichiosis is Rocky Mountain spotted fever without spots," partially untrue
- most common lab abnormalities are leukopenia, thrombocytopenia and elevated LFTs
- diagnosis with indirect fluorescent antibody test; intracytoplasmic inclusions (morulae) may be noted on blood smear
- treat with doxycycline
Source
Sexton, Daniel. "Human ehrlichiosis" Up to Date. 15 April 2008. <http://www.uptodate.com>