The key difference between anaplasmosis and ehrlichiosis is that anaplasmosis is a tick-borne bacterial infection caused by Anaplasma phagocytophilum while ehrlichiosis is a tick-borne bacterial infection caused by Ehrlichia chaffeensis.
Tick-borne pathogens can be passed to humans through the bite of infected ticks. Ticks can be infected with bacteria, viruses, or parasites. There are various types of tick-borne bacterial diseases affecting humans. Anaplasmosis and ehrlichiosis are two such diseases.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Anaplasmosis
3. What is Ehrlichiosis
4. Similarities – Anaplasmosis and Ehrlichiosis
5. Anaplasmosis vs Ehrlichiosis in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Anaplasmosis vs Ehrlichiosis
What is Anaplasmosis?
Anaplasmosis is a tick-borne bacterial infection that is caused by Anaplasma phagocytophilum. Anaplasmosis in humans is also called human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA). Anaplasmosis causing bacteria is primarily carried by deer ticks (black-legged ticks) in the Upper Midwest, north-eastern states, and central Canadian provinces. It is also carried out by Western coastal states and other tick species in Europe and Asia. This bacterium infects white blood cells called neutrophils. Anaplasma phagocytophilum alters neutrophils.
Figure 01: Anaplasmosis
The signs and symptoms of the anaplasmosis begin within 1 to 2 weeks after the bite of the infected tick. Tick bites are usually painless, and many people are unaware of the tick bite. The signs and symptoms of anaplasmosis may include fever, chills, severe headache, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, aching joints, diarrhoea, sensitivity to light, fatigue, change in mental status, temporary loss of basic motor skills, respiratory, failure, bleeding problems, and organ failure. The risks factors are delayed treatment age (older adults are affected more) and weakened immunity. The other species in the genus Anaplasma cause related tick borne diseases in ruminants, dogs, and horses. This disease can be diagnosed through blood tests and PCR tests. Furthermore, treatments for anaplasmosis include antibiotics such as doxycycline and rifampin.
What is Ehrlichiosis?
Ehrlichiosis is a tick-borne bacterial infection that is caused by Ehrlichia chaffeensis. The Lone Star tick that is found in the south-central, south-eastern, and eastern coastal states is the primary carrier of this species. The black-legged ticks (deer ticks) in the Upper Midwest are less common carriers of this bacterial species. Ehrlichia chaffeensis commonly infects monocytes.
Figure 02: Ehrlichiosis
The signs and symptoms of this bacterial infection include fever, chills, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting diarrhoea, loss of appetite, confusion, rash (common in children), seizure, coma, damage to the brain or nervous system (meningoencephalitis), respiratory failure, uncontrolled bleeding, and organ failure. Moreover, this disease can be diagnosed through indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA), culture isolation, immunohistochemical assays (IHC), blood smear microscopy, and PCR test. Furthermore, treatment for ehrlichiosis is through administrating antibiotics such as doxycycline.
What are the Similarities Between Anaplasmosis and Ehrlichiosis?
- Anaplasmosis and ehrlichiosis are two tick-borne diseases.
- Both are bacterial infections.
- These causative agents (bacteria) infect white blood cells in humans.
- Both causative agents (bacteria) infect both humans as well as other animals.
- These diseases can be treated with the antibiotic doxycycline.
What is the Difference Between Anaplasmosis and Ehrlichiosis?
Anaplasmosis is a tick-borne bacterial infection that is caused by Anaplasma phagocytophilum while ehrlichiosis is a tick-borne bacterial infection that is caused by Ehrlichia chaffeensis. Thus, this is the key difference between anaplasmosis and ehrlichiosis. Furthermore, in anaplasmosis, the causative bacteria commonly infect neutrophils in humans. On the other hand, in ehrlichiosis, the causative bacteria commonly infect monocytes in humans.
The below infographic presents the differences between anaplasmosis and ehrlichiosis in tabular form for side by side comparison.
Summary – Anaplasmosis vs Ehrlichiosis
Anaplasmosis and ehrlichiosis are two tick-borne bacterial diseases. Anaplasmosis is caused by Anaplasma phagocytophilum, while ehrlichiosis is caused by Ehrlichia chaffeensis. So, this is the key difference between anaplasmosis and ehrlichiosis.
Reference:
1. “Ehrlichiosis.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 17 Jan. 2019.
2. “Anaplasmosis.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 11 Jan. 2019.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Anaplasmosis bacteria” By DR Hanny Elsheika – 'Lyme disease is a ticking time bomb': Leading expert explains how life-wrecking illness is spreading – and what YOU can do to protect yourself (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Engorged Adult Lone Star Tick” By NIAID (CC BY 2.0) via Flickr