| Ehrlichiosis |
| Introduction |
The Ehrlichia are obligate intracellular parasites of leukocytes in various species of animals and humans. Each species of Ehrlichia characteristically parasitizes either neutrophils OR monocytes. They reside within phagosomes, and in virtually all cases are transmitted by ticks.
The taxonomy of the Ehrlichia organisms has recently undergone substantial revision. Thus, some Ehrlichia organisms are now within the genera Anaplasma and Neorickettsia.
As with Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, animals do not serve as direct sources for zoonotic transmission of the organism, but simply increase the chances for human contact with infected ticks.
| Ehrlichiosis topics |
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