Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Human granulocytic ehrlichiosis in Northern California: two case descriptions with genetic analysis of the Ehrlichiae.
- Journal:
- Clinical infectious diseases : an official publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America
- Year:
- 1999
- Authors:
- Foley, J E et al.
- Affiliation:
- School of Veterinary Medicine · United States
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
This study describes two cases of a tick-borne illness called human granulocytic ehrlichiosis (HGE) that happened in northern California during the summer of 1998. Both patients experienced symptoms like fever, feeling unwell, and muscle pain, and they had reported being bitten by ticks. Blood tests showed that one patient had a low platelet count, while both had normal or slightly high liver enzyme levels. Genetic testing confirmed the presence of the HGE bacteria in their blood, and the strains were similar to those found in horses in the same area. The researchers suggest that the close timing and location of these cases might indicate a local source of infection or increased awareness among doctors.
Abstract
We report two cases of human granulocytic ehrlichiosis (HGE) that occurred in northern California in summer 1998. Patients had fever, malaise, and myalgia, reported tick bites, had moderate thrombocytopenia, and had normal or slightly elevated liver enzyme activities. Ehrlichial inclusions were observed in the blood of one patient, and HGE-agent DNA was amplified by PCR from both patients. Genetically, the strains resembled horse isolates from northern California. The close spatial and temporal proximity of the two new cases may be due to a nidus of infection in the area or heightened surveillance by local physicians.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10476747/