Severe Ehrlichia chaffeensis infection in a lung transplant recipient: a review of ehrlichiosis in the immunocompromised patient.
We describe a case of human ehrlichiosis in a lung transplant recipient and review published reports on ehrlichiosis in immunocompromised patients. Despite early therapy with doxycycline, our patient had unusually severe illness with features of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. Of 23 reported cases of ehrlichiosis in immunocompromised patients, organ failure occurred in all patients and 6 (25%) died.
Safdar
Nasia
N
Section of Infectious Diseases, University of Wisconsin Medical School, 600 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53792, USA.
Love
Robert B
RB
Maki
Dennis G
DG
D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004318:Doxycycline / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018469:Ehrlichia chaffeensis / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D016873:Ehrlichiosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D016040:Lung Transplantation; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D004318:Doxycycline