Anaplasmosis

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Presentation :

• Nonspecific febrile illness beginning 1 to 2 weeks after a tick bite
• Leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, increased serum aminotransferase levels
• Very similar in presentation to Ehrlichiosis (same testing/treatment too)

Pathophysiology :

Diagnostic Testing:

• Polymerase chain reaction of whole blood at the time of acute illness is highly sensitive, particularly if performed before therapy.
• Antibody tests are often negative in acute illness; a convalescent specimen 2 to 4 weeks after onset of symptoms showing a four-fold rise in titer is confirmatory.

Treatment :

• Doxycycline is the recommended treatment. Because delay in treatment is associated with increased mortality, empiric therapy should be started even in the absence of confirmatory testing.

Prognosis:

References:

• MKSAP