Anaplasmosis

Causative Agent: Anaplasma phagocytophilum
Type of Organism: Rickettsial Bacterial Species
Length of Attachment for Transmission: 10 hours

Initial Symptoms

Symptoms may begin within the first 2 weeks of exposure.
Flu-like symptoms are most common and include: fever, chills, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, and nausea.
In some patients, a rash may occur.
Immunocompromised individuals are at a greater risk for more severe symptoms which include trouble breathing, kidney failure and neurological issues.

Diagnosis and Testing

Most often, clinical signs and a history of exposure will be the key to diagnosis.
The use of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) to detect Anaplasma DNA in the blood can be used for diagnosis and should be performed within the first week of infection.
When testing for antibodies specific to Anaplasma, Indirect Immunofluorescence Assays (IFA) are performed on two samples.
The first sample is collected within 7 days of infection and will be compared to the second sample collected 2-4 weeks after infection.
Anaplasmosis will be diagnosed if the second sample shows the number of antibodies present has increased since the first sample was tested.
A false negative is possible in the first 7-10 days of illness and will commonly occur when the first sample is tested.
Blood test results of low platelet count, low white blood cell count or elevated liver enzyme levels can assist with diagnosis.

CDC Treatment Recommendation

Adults: Doxycycline 100mg every 12 hours.
Children: Doxycycline 2.2mg/kg- 2x daily.

*Doxycycline is the most effective prevention of future complications and should be started within the first 5 days of infection for best results. (CDC)

Disease Pathogenesis

Anaplasmosis will invade white blood cells and trigger an immune response causing immediate symptoms.
Unfortunately, little is known about the specific pathogenesis of Anaplasmosis.

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