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Guilherme Mazui

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What is the Difference Between Anaplasmosis and Ehrlichiosis?

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Anaplasmosis and Ehrlichiosis are two closely related tick-borne bacterial diseases that share similar symptoms and are transmitted to humans by ticks. The main differences between the two are the specific bacteria causing the infections and the ticks responsible for transmission.

Anaplasmosis, formerly called human granulocytic ehrlichiosis (HGE), is caused by the bacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilum and is transmitted to humans by blacklegged deer ticks. Ehrlichiosis, also known as human monocytic ehrlichiosis (HME), is caused by the bacterium Ehrlichia chaffeensis and is transmitted to humans by lone star ticks.

Symptoms of both diseases include:

  • Fever
  • Muscle aches
  • Headache
  • Weakness
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Joint pain
  • Confusion (more common in anaplasmosis)

A rash is more common in ehrlichiosis than in anaplasmosis. Symptoms usually appear one to two weeks after the bite of an infected tick. Both diseases can be severe and even life-threatening or fatal if not treated early. Doxycycline is the recommended treatment for both ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis.

Preventing tick bites is the best way to avoid these infections. This includes using tick repellents, thoroughly checking your body for ticks after being outdoors, and properly removing any ticks found.

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  • What is the Difference Between Anaplasmosis and Ehrlichiosis?
  • Comparative Table: Anaplasmosis vs Ehrlichiosis

    • Comparative Table: Anaplasmosis vs Ehrlichiosis

    Ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis are both acute febrile tick-borne diseases caused by various members of the genera Ehrlichia and Anaplasma. Here is a table summarizing the differences between the two:

    Characteristic Ehrlichiosis Anaplasmosis
    Causative Agent Ehrlichia chaffeensis Anaplasma phagocytophilum
    Cytoplasmic Inclusions Monocytes Neutrophils
    Symptoms Fever, chills, severe headache, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and rash (more common in ehrlichiosis) Fever, chills, severe headache, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and rash (less common in anaplasmosis)
    Diagnosis Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing of a blood sample or indirect immunofluorescent antibody testing Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing of a blood sample
    Treatment Doxycycline (preferred) or chloramphenicol for patients unable to take tetracyclines Doxycycline (preferred) or chloramphenicol for patients unable to take tetracyclines
    Prevention Avoiding tick bites, wearing protective clothing, using tick repellent, and checking for ticks after spending time outdoors Avoiding tick bites, wearing protective clothing, using tick repellent, and checking for ticks after spending time outdoors

    Both diseases have similar clinical features and are diagnosed using serological testing and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing on blood samples. Treatment for both ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis is typically doxycycline, with chloramphenicol as an alternative for patients unable to take tetracyclines. Prevention of these tick-borne diseases involves avoiding tick bites, wearing protective clothing, using tick repellent, and checking for ticks after spending time outdoors.

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    Guilherme Mazui

    Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.