Anaplasmosis

The anaplasmosis is a vector-borne disease caused by the bacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilum (previously called Ehrlichia phagocytophila), which attack the white blood cells of the blood. This disease affects both humans (human granulocytic anaplasmosis, HGA) and animals, mainly dogs, although it can also appear in cats, horses and sheep and cattle. Anaplasmosis is transmitted through tick bites, not through direct contact with infected animals. On rare occasions, it can be transmitted by blood transfusion. The symptoms are usually non-specific, such as apathy, fever, anorexia, an enlarged spleen, low levels of certain blood components, or lameness. The treatment consists of administering antibiotics, doxycycline, and the prognosis is usually favorable. As prevention it is recommended to avoid tick bites, checking the animal before and after each walk, avoiding wet areas and thickets, combing it and using antiparasitic products. The diagnosis is made by peripheral blood smear under a microscope, a serological test, or PCR.

Anaplasmosis is present worldwide, and is the most common tick-borne disease after borreliosis.