Ehrlichiosis and Anaplasmosis Fact
Sheet
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of this Fact Sheet
The Diseases and Transmission
- Ehrlichia and Anaplasma are related bacteria that are transmitted by ticks. These bacteria infect white blood cells in humans.
- There are three different bacteria that cause disease in humans:
Pathogen |
Ehrlichia chaffeensis |
Ehrlichia ewingii |
Anaplasma phagocytophilum (formerly Ehrlichia phagocytophila) |
Disease |
Human monocytic
ehrlichiosis (HME) |
Ehrlichiosis ewingii |
Human granulocytic
anaplasmosis (HGA, formerly HGE) |
Tick Vector |
Amblyomma americanum (lone star tick) |
Ixodes scapularis (black-legged tick) |
- Animal reservoirs for E. chaffeensis and E. ewingii are white-tailed deer and dogs. The reservoirs for A. phagocytophilum include cattle, deer, and rodents. You cannot get the diseases directly from animals.
- The diseases are not spread between humans other than through blood transfusions.
- Maryland is home to both the lone star tick and the black-legged tick.
Symptoms and Treatment
Disease |
Clinical Features |
HME,
Ehrlichiosis ewingii |
- Symptoms appear 7 to 10 days after a tick bite.
- Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite.
- Meningoencephalitis occurs in approximately 20% of cases.
- Development of a rash is possible. This may be confused with Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
|
HGA |
- Symptoms appear 7 to 14 days after a tick bite.
- Symptoms include fever, headache, and muscle aches.
- Meningoencephalitis is rare.
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- Most infections occur when tick activity is highest, in late spring and summer.
- If left untreated, HME and HGA may be severe.
- Co-infection with more than one tick borne disease is possible.
- The immune system is directly infected. Secondary infection and other complications can arise quickly.
- The elderly and sick are more likely to develop severe illness.
- Contact your health care provider if you develop any of these symptoms after a tick bite or after being in tick habitat. Your health care provider may order a blood test to help diagnose the disease.
- The diseases are effectively treated with antibiotics, most commonly doxycycline.
Keep Ticks Off
- Ticks are most active from late spring through early fall.
- Insect repellent containing 20–50% DEET is recommended to prevent tick bites.
- Repellents with up to 30% DEET can safely be used on children over 2 months of age.
- Treat clothes with permethrin (don’t use permethrin directly on skin).
- Long pants and long sleeves help keep ticks off of skin, and tucking pant legs into socks and shirts into pants keeps ticks on outside of clothing.
- Light colored clothing lets you spot ticks more easily.
- Talk to your veterinarian about tick control products for your pets.
- When enjoying the outdoors, be aware that wooded or brushy areas with tall grass and leaf litter are prime tick habitat.
- Check yourself, your kids and your pets daily for ticks when spending time in tick habitat.
To Remove Ticks
- Use fine-tipped tweezers and protect bare hands with a tissue or gloves.
- Grab the tick close to the skin; do not twist or jerk the tick.
- Gently pull straight up until all parts of the tick are removed.
- Wash your hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based rub.
- Clean the site of the tick bite with soap and water or an antiseptic.
- Do not use petroleum jelly, a hot match, nail polish, or other products to remove ticks.
For more information on tick borne diseases, visit: www.MarylandTickOff.org
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