Human monocytic ehrlichiosis (HME) is caused by an obligate intracellular gram-negative bacteria of the family Anaplasmataceae. The first reported case of ehrlichiosis occurred in a man, 51 years of age, in Arkansas, United States. The man experienced a prolonged febrile illness after being bitten by ticks. Four years later, Ehrlichia chaffeensis, the causative agent of this syndrome, was recognized (1). Ticks acquire E. chaffeensis from a reservoir host, the white-tailed deer, and transmit the organism to humans during blood meals (2).
The clinical manifestations of HME range from a mild febrile syndrome to severe multisystemic illness. Although ehrlichiosis has sometimes been referred to as Rocky mountain spotted fever without the rash, a rash is not uncommon (2). Gastrointestinal, pulmonary, and central nervous system symptoms are well described, but cardiovascular disease is rare (2). Including the patient described herein, 4 persons in whom HME was diagnosed have had myocardial involvement.
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/19/12/12-1459_article.htm
The clinical manifestations of HME range from a mild febrile syndrome to severe multisystemic illness. Although ehrlichiosis has sometimes been referred to as Rocky mountain spotted fever without the rash, a rash is not uncommon (2). Gastrointestinal, pulmonary, and central nervous system symptoms are well described, but cardiovascular disease is rare (2). Including the patient described herein, 4 persons in whom HME was diagnosed have had myocardial involvement.
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/19/12/12-1459_article.htm
