Mechanism of Illness
Humans contract the disease after a bite by an infected tick of the species Amblyomma americanum.
Those with an underlying immunodeficiency (such as HIV) appear to be at greater risk of contracting the disease. Compared to HME, ewingii ehrlichiosis has a decreased incidence of complications.
Like Anaplasma phagocytophilum, the causative agent of human granulocytic ehrlichiosis, Ehrlichia ewingii infects neutrophils. Infection with E. ewingii may delay neutrophil apoptosis.
Read more about this topic: Ehrlichiosis Ewingii Infection
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