Human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA) (previously known as Human granulocytic ehrlichiosis, or HGE ) is an infectious disease caused by Anaplasma phagocytophilum, an obligate intracellular bacterium that is typically transmitted to humans by at least three kinds of ticks, including Ixodes scapularis, Ixodes pacificus, and Dermacentor variabilis. These ticks also transmit Lyme disease and other diseases.
The bacteria infect white blood cells called neutrophils, causing changes in gene expression that prolong the life of these otherwise short-lived cells.
Read more about Human Granulocytic Anaplasmosis: Ecology and Epidemiology, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention, Terminology
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