Human granulocytic anaplasmosis in eastern France: clinical presentation and laboratory diagnosis.
Human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA) is a tick-borne infection characterised by an acute, nonspecific febrile illness. To date, few clinical cases have been supported by both a positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay and subsequent seroconversion against Anaplasma phagocytophilum antigen all over Europe. We report here 3 consecutive cases of HGA that occurred during the summer of 2009 which fulfilled the epidemiologic, clinical, and biological criteria for HGA. These data highlight PCR assay on ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid blood rather than serology as the diagnostic test of choice during the acute phase of the disease. In endemic areas, HGA should be investigated in patients presenting an undifferentiated febrile illness with cytopenia, elevated rates of liver enzymes, and increased C-reactive protein values.
Laboratoire de Bactériologie, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, 1, rue Koeberlé, Strasbourg Cedex, France.
Christelle
C
Koebel
Aurélie
A
Kern
Sophie
S
Edouard
Anh Thu
AT
Hoang
Noéline
N
Celestin
Yves
Y
Hansmann
Benoît
B
Jaulhac
Philippe
P
Brouqui
Sylvie Josiane
SJ
De Martino
D000368:Aged; D041081:Anaplasma phagocytophilum / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D000712:Anaplasmosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D001425:Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006098:Granulocytes / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D002479:Inclusion Bodies; D008875:Middle Aged
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D001425:Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins; C488283:msp2 protein, Anaplasma phagocytophilum