Case report
Mild clinical picture of human granulocytic anaplasmosis
Viktor Kotarski
; Klinika za infektivne bolesti "Dr. Fran Mihaljević", Zagreb, Hrvatska
Alemka Markotić
; Klinika za infektivne bolesti "Dr. Fran Mihaljević", Zagreb, Hrvatska
Oktavija Đaković-Rode
; Klinika za infektivne bolesti "Dr. Fran Mihaljević", Zagreb, Hrvatska
Saša Andrašević
; Klinika za infektivne bolesti "Dr. Fran Mihaljević", Zagreb, Hrvatska
Višnja Škerk
; Klinika za infektivne bolesti "Dr. Fran Mihaljević", Zagreb, Hrvatska
Abstract
A. phagocytophilum is the causative agent of human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA). In most of Europe, including Croatia, the main vector for the A.phagocytophilim is Ixodes ricinus, and reservoirs are forest mammals. HGA is usually asymptomatic, possibly with short-term fever. If the disease develops, it can take different forms, ranging from mild to severe. Symptoms are usually nonspecific: fever, myalgia, arthralgia, chills, nausea, vomiting and headache. The rash occurs rarely. Some of the patients may experience neurological symptoms. It may present as fever of unknown origin lasting up to two months. Here we present a mild form of HGA in a 66-year old female patient. Besides fever, algic syndrome with severe headache and expressed initial disorientation, no other leading symptoms were recorded. The laboratory findings registered on admission were: slightly elevated CRP levels, a mild liver lesion, leucopenia, thrombocytopenia, elevated LDH value and electrolyte disorders. The diagnosis was based on serology after the patient was discharged from the hospital. During hospitalization, the patient was treated symptomatically. In central and northwestern Croatia, we can expect the occurrence of A. phagocytophilum infection and subsequent development of the HGA, and the disease should be considered in the differential diagnosis of diseases transmitted by ticks.
Keywords
Human granulocytic anaplasmosis; mild clinical picture; central Croatia
Hrčak ID:
92450
URI
Publication date:
26.3.2012.
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