Ehrlichia and Anaplasma

Ehrlichia and Anaplasma

Ehrlichia and Anaplasma

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Overview & Pathophysiology - Tiny Intracellular Terrors

  • Organisms: Ehrlichia chaffeensis & Anaplasma phagocytophilum are obligate intracellular, gram-negative-like bacteria lacking peptidoglycan and LPS.
  • Lifecycle: Transmitted by ticks, they invade host leukocytes, replicating within phagosomes to form characteristic mulberry-shaped aggregates called morulae.
    • They prevent phagolysosome fusion, ensuring their survival.
    • Cell lysis releases bacteria, spreading the infection.
  • Cell Tropism: 📌 MEGA - Ehrlichia infects Monocytes; Anaplasma infects Granulocytes.

⭐ The presence of intracytoplasmic morulae in neutrophils (Anaplasma) or monocytes (Ehrlichia) on a peripheral blood smear is a key diagnostic clue.

Ehrlichia morulae in a monocyte

Ehrlichia vs. Anaplasma - The Great Divide

FeatureEhrlichia chaffeensisAnaplasma phagocytophilum
DiseaseEhrlichiosisAnaplasmosis
VectorLone Star Tick (Amblyomma)Deer Tick (Ixodes scapularis)
GeographySE & South-central USNE & Upper Midwest US
Cell TargetMonocytesGranulocytes
InclusionsMorulae (berry-like)Morulae (berry-like)

High-Yield: Anaplasma shares its Ixodes tick vector with Borrelia (Lyme disease) and Babesia, so be suspicious of co-infections.

Life cycle of Anaplasma and Ehrlichia

Clinical & Lab Findings - Fever, Chills, Low Counts

  • Acute Presentation: Abrupt onset of high fever, chills, headache, and myalgias.
    • Rash is uncommon, but more frequent in Ehrlichiosis (~30%) vs. Anaplasmosis (<10%).
  • Key Lab Abnormalities:
    • ↓ Leukopenia (WBC < 4,500/mm³)
    • ↓ Thrombocytopenia (Platelets < 150,000/mm³)
    • ↑ Elevated serum aminotransferases (ALT/AST)

Anaplasma morulae in neutrophils

High-Yield: Diagnosis is often confirmed by finding morulae (Latin for 'mulberry')-intracytoplasmic inclusions of organisms-within granulocytes (Anaplasma) or monocytes (Ehrlichia) on a peripheral blood smear.

Diagnosis & Management - Spot the Dot, Treat Right

  • Labs: Pancytopenia (↓ platelets, ↓ WBCs), ↑ liver enzymes.
  • Microscopy: Key finding is morulae (intracytoplasmic, mulberry-like inclusions).
    • Ehrlichia chaffeensis: Monocytes
    • Anaplasma phagocytophilum: Granulocytes
  • Gold Standard: PCR for definitive diagnosis.
  • Treatment: Empiric Doxycycline is first-line for all patients, including children. Do not delay therapy awaiting confirmation.

⭐ Intracytoplasmic morulae are highly specific but insensitive, seen in <10% of patients.

Ehrlichia morulae in monocyte, peripheral blood smear

High‑Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

  • Obligate intracellular bacteria transmitted by ticks (Ehrlichia: Lone Star tick; Anaplasma: Ixodes tick).
  • Ehrlichia infects monocytes (HME), while Anaplasma infects granulocytes (HGA).
  • Clinical presentation includes fever, headache, and malaise.
  • Key lab findings: pancytopenia (leukopenia, thrombocytopenia) and elevated liver enzymes.
  • Diagnosis is confirmed by seeing morulae (mulberry-like inclusions) in the cytoplasm of infected cells.
  • Treatment for both is Doxycycline.

Practice Questions: Ehrlichia and Anaplasma

Test your understanding with these related questions

A 24-year-old woman complains of intermittent fever and joint pain. She says that these symptoms have been present for the past month. Before that, she had no signs or symptoms and was completely healthy. She has also lost her appetite and some weight. A complete blood count (CBC) showed severe pancytopenia. What is the next best step in evaluating this patient?

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Flashcards: Ehrlichia and Anaplasma

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Rickettsia spp. is _____ and thus cannot make its own ATP

TAP TO REVEAL ANSWER

Rickettsia spp. is _____ and thus cannot make its own ATP

obligate intracellular

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