Detection of Antibodies toAnaplasma phagocytophilumandEhrlichia chaffeensisAntigens in Sera of Korean Patients by Western Immunoblotting and Indirect Immunofluorescence Assays

Abstract

Two hundred seventy one serum samples from South Korean patients were tested to detect antibodies against Anaplasma phagocytophilum (the human granulocytic ehrlichiosis agent) and Ehrlichia chaffeensis (the human monocytic ehrlichiosis agent) by indirect fluorescent-antibody assay (IFA) and the Western blot assay. These sera were collected from patients with symptoms of high fever.

Nosocomial Transmission of Human Granulocytic Anaplasmosis in China

“…9 Serological and molecular evidence also suggests that human infection exists in Korea, Japan, and China. [10][11][12][13][14] Herein, we report the first cases of HGA acquired in China, as well as the unusual finding of nosocomial human-to-human transmission.…”

Tick-Borne Rickettsial Pathogens in Ticks and Small Mammals in Korea

“…Although no cases of human anaplasmosis (formerly called human granulocytic ehrlichiosis [HGE]) or human monocytic ehrlichiosis have been reported, seroepidemiological findings suggest the presence of human monocytic ehrlichiosis and HGE agents in the Republic of Korea (ROK) (18,40). In 2000, the first suspected case of Ehrlichia chaffeensis was reported for an active-duty American soldier stationed in the ROK (43).…”

“…Ticks are notorious vectors of various pathogenic protozoa, rickettsiae, bacteria, and viruses that cause serious and lifethreatening illnesses in humans and animals worldwide (2,11,15,37,40,47). Screening of ticks for such pathogens by using molecular epidemiological tools may disclose the prevalence of tick-borne pathogens in particular geographic environments.…”

Early Transcriptional Response of Human Neutrophils toAnaplasma phagocytophilumInfection

“…Anaplasma phagocytophilum is the causative agent of human anaplasmosis (formerly human granulocytic ehrlichiosis), an emerging infectious disease in the United States, Europe, and Asia (10,16,22,59). In nature, A. phagocytophilum cycles between its arthropod vector, Ixodes scapularis, and its primary mammalian reservoir, Peromyscus leucopus, the white-footed mouse (22,58).…”