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Human anaplasmosis presenting as atypical pneumonitis in France

V Remy1, Y Hansmann, S De Martino

  • 1Service de Maladies Infectieuses et Pathologies Tropicales, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France.

Clinical Infectious Diseases : an Official Publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America
|September 5, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Human anaplasmosis, a tick-borne illness caused by Anaplasma phagocytophilum, can lead to interstitial pneumonitis. This finding suggests A. phagocytophilum should be considered a cause of lung inflammation in endemic regions.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pulmonology
  • Bacteriology

Background:

  • Human anaplasmosis is a febrile illness caused by the bacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilum.
  • Transmission occurs via Ixodes ticks in the United States and Europe.

Observation:

  • Cough is a common symptom (30%) in American cases of human anaplasmosis.
  • Interstitial pneumonitis is a rare complication, noted only once in the US.
  • Three of nine confirmed European cases presented with atypical pneumonitis.

Findings:

  • Anaplasma phagocytophilum can cause interstitial pneumonitis.
  • Atypical pneumonitis is a potential manifestation of human anaplasmosis.

Implications:

  • A. phagocytophilum should be recognized as an etiological agent of interstitial pneumonitis.
  • Clinicians in endemic areas should consider human anaplasmosis in patients with unexplained pneumonitis.
  • This expands the differential diagnosis for tick-borne illnesses with respiratory involvement.

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