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Neoehrlichiosis is a new disease transmitted by ticks. The first case of neoehrlichiosis was recorded in 2010. Since then, the number of cases has been systematically increasing, especially in European countries. According to preliminary studies, it is especially dangerous for people with a weakened immune system. What are the causes and symptoms of neoehrlichiosis? What is the treatment? Does it pose a threat in Poland?

Contents:

  1. Neoehrlichioza - causes
  2. Neoehrlichiosis - risk factors
  3. Neoehrlichiosis - symptoms
  4. Neoehrlichioza - diagnosis
  5. Neoehrlichioza - treatment

Neoehrlichiozais a newtick-borne disease . The first case was recorded in 2010. To date, 23 cases have been reported worldwide, 16 of which in Europe, including Sweden, Switzerland, Germany and the Czech Republic.

Knowledge about this tick-borne disease is still very small, but preliminary studies show that the risk of contracting the disease increases in immunocompromised people.

Neoehrlichioza - causes

The cause of the disease is a new bacterium calledCandidatusNeoehrlichia mikurensis, which is transmitted by ticksIxodes ricinus(common tick - the same, which carries, among others, the bacteria responsible for Lyme disease).

Neoehrlichiosis - risk factors

Most of the patients diagnosed with neoehrlichiosis had a strained immune system, so the condition is believed to be an important risk factor for developing this condition.

The disease most often attacks people over 50, suffering from hematological or rheumatic diseases, currently undergoing immunosuppressive therapy.

Most patients in Europe struggled with autoimmune diseases such as lupus, psoriasis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, rheumatoid arthritis, and chronic demyelinating polyneuropathy. They require immunosuppressive treatment, which weakens the body.

The first case of the disease was reported in a 77-year-old patient suffering from chronic B-cell leukemia. Other haematological diseases that increase the risk of developing neoehrlichiosis include large B-cell lymphoma, post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders, and proliferationfrom large granular T lymphocytes

Ticks - prophylaxis

Neoehrlichiosis - symptoms

Symptoms of neoehrlichiosis are not specific, as they appear in its course:

  • fever

Research shows that the average time from a tick bite to the onset of disease symptoms was 8 days.

  • nausea and vomiting
  • headaches
  • muscle and joint pain
  • neck stiffness
  • bruises
  • hemorrhagic rash
  • general malaise
  • weight loss

Neoehrlichiosis may develop with thrombotic or hemorrhagic complications, aneurysms. The course of the infection may be acute or chronic (the longest described chronic course was manifested by recurrent fever for 8 months).

These symptoms have been observed in people at risk. Almost nothing is known about how an infection with the bacteriumCandidatusNeoehrlichia mikurensis affects completely he althy people.

Important

Neoehrlichioza - is it a threat in Poland?

TicksIxodes ricinusare common in Poland, therefore there is a probability ofCandidatusNeoehrlichia mikurensis in a patient bitten by this arachnid .

The frequency of detection of bacteria in PolandCandidatusNeoerlichia mikurensis in ticksI. ricinusranges from 0.4 percent. in the center of the country to 1.5 percent. in north-eastern Poland.

For comparison - in Germany the detection frequency is 8.1%, the Czech Republic 10%, and in Austria probably the highest in Europe, even 23.5%.

Neoehrlichioza - diagnosis

If neoehrlichiosis is suspected, PCR tests, multiplex TaqMan real-time PCR tests, which show the DNA of bacteria in the patient's blood, and a blood smear test are performed.

Neoehrlichioza - treatment

As in the case of other tick-borne diseases, antibiotic therapy is used. The drug of choice is doxycycline, which is also administered in the course of Lyme disease or anaplasmosis. The patient recovers from the use of antibiotics.

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About the authorMonika Majewska A journalist specializing in he alth issues, especially in the areas of medicine, he alth protection and he althy eating. Author of news, guides, interviews with experts and reports. Participant of the greatestThe National Medical Conference "Polish Woman in Europe", organized by the "Journalists for He alth" Association, as well as specialist workshops and seminars for journalists organized by the Association.

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Category:

Parasitic diseases