Ehrlichia
Ehrlichia is a tick-borne bacteria that infects white blood cells, but it has been found in spleen, lymph node, and kidney tissue samples. An infection with Ehrlichia can lead to Ehrlichiosis, which is caused by Ehrlichia chaffeensis and Ehrlichia chagrins. The bacteria is transmitted by the Lone Star tick (Amblyomma americanum) and the black-legged tick (Ixodes scapularis).
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of ehrlichiosis usually begin within 1-2 weeks after the bite of an infected tick. Early signs and symptoms (within the first 5 days of illness) include:
- Severe headache
- Fever and chills
- Muscle aches
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite
- Confusion
- Rash (more common in children)
Late stage symptoms can result from delayed treatment and include:
- Damage to the brain or nervous system (e.g. meningoencephalitis, or inflammation of the brain and surrounding tissue)
- Respiratory failure
- Uncontrolled bleeding
- Organ failure
- Death
