Ehrlichiosis ewingii infection
Ehrlichiosis ewingii infection is an infectious disease caused by an intracellular bacteria, Ehrlichia ewingii. The infection is transmitted to humans by the tick, Amblyomma americanum. This tick can also transmit Ehrlichia chaffeensis, the bacteria that causes human monocytic ehrlichiosis.
Signs and symptoms
Patients can present with fever, headache, myalgias, and malaise. Laboratory tests may reveal a low number of platelets in the blood, low levels of white blood cells in the bloodstream, and evidence of liver damage.Mechanism
Humans contract the disease after a bite by an infected tick of the species Amblyomma americanum.Those with an underlying immunodeficiency appear to be at greater risk of contracting the disease. Compared to HME, ewingii ehrlichiosis has a decreased incidence of complications.
Like Anaplasma phagocytophilum, the causative agent of human granulocytic ehrlichiosis, Ehrlichia ewingii infects neutrophils. Infection with E. ewingii may delay neutrophil apoptosis.