Ehrlichiosis

The symptoms caused by infection with these Ehrlichia species usually develop 1-2 weeks after being bitten by an infected tick. The tick bite is usually painless, and about half of the people who develop ehrlichiosis may not even remember being bitten by a tick

About

• Ehrlichiosis is a serious illness that can be fatal if not treated correctly, even in previously healthy people
• Higher case-fatality rates if immunocompromised

Characteristics

• Onset 1-2 weeks after a tick bite

Source

• Ehrlichiae are transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected tick.
• Tick borne

Pathogenicity

• Ehrlichiosis

Clinical

• Fever, Headache, Chills, Malaise, Muscle pain
• Nausea / Vomiting / Diarrhea Confusion
• Conjunctival injection (red eyes)
• Rash (children >> adults)

Resistance

investigations

• Detectable antibody titers usually observed by 7-10 days after illness onset
• PCR result is helpful, a negative result does not completely rule out the diagnosis.
• A peripheral blood smear may reveal morulae (microcolonies of Ehrlichia) in the cytoplasm of white blood cells in up to 20% of patients.

Management

• Doxycycline is the first-line treatment for adults and children of all ages and should be initiated immediately whenever ehrlichiosis is suspected.
• Adults: 100 mg every 12 hours Children under 45 kg (100 lbs): 2.2 mg/kg body weight given twice a day