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Updated: Apr 16, 2026

Tick Microbiome Characterization by Next-Generation 16S rRNA Amplicon Sequencing
Published on: August 25, 2018
Infections with the tick-borne bacterium Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis
1Department of Clinical Microbiology at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden; Department of Infectious Diseases at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Göteborg, Sweden.
Abstract:
Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis, which has rodents as its natural hosts, is an emerging tick-borne pathogen in Europe and Asia. This intracellular bacterium causes the infectious disease neoehrlichiosis. Immunocompromised patients may contract a severe form of neoehrlichiosis with high fever and vascular/thromboembolic events. As it is not detected with routine culture-based methods, neoehrlichiosis is underdiagnosed.
Insights
Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis is an emerging tick-borne bacterium causing neoehrlichiosis. This underdiagnosed infection poses severe risks, especially for immunocompromised individuals, due to potential vascular events.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis is an emerging tick-borne pathogen with rodents as natural hosts.
- It causes the intracellular bacterial infection neoehrlichiosis, prevalent in Europe and Asia.
- Neoehrlichiosis is often underdiagnosed due to limitations in routine culture-based detection methods.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the significance of Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis as an emerging pathogen.
- To underscore the diagnostic challenges and underdiagnosis of neoehrlichiosis.
- To emphasize the severe clinical manifestations in immunocompromised patients.
Main Methods:
- Literature review on Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis and neoehrlichiosis.
- Analysis of diagnostic limitations of current detection methods.
- Review of clinical case reports focusing on severe neoehrlichiosis.
Main Results:
- Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis is a growing concern in Europe and Asia.
- Immunocompromised individuals are at risk for severe neoehrlichiosis, including fever and thromboembolic events.
- Current diagnostic methods fail to detect the bacterium, leading to underdiagnosis.
Conclusions:
- Neoehrlichiosis requires increased clinical awareness and improved diagnostic strategies.
- Early detection and treatment are crucial, particularly for at-risk populations.
- Further research is needed to develop effective diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for neoehrlichiosis.
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