A serosurvey of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in blood donors in Crete, Greece

Current management of human granulocytic anaplasmosis, human monocytic ehrlichiosis andEhrlichia ewingiiehrlichiosis

“…The first confirmed HGA case was diagnosed in Slovenia in 1997 [82]. Subsequent cases of HGA or A. phagocytophilum seropositivity have since been reported in The Netherlands [83], Spain [84], Sweden [85], Norway [86], Croatia [87], Poland [88], Slovenia [58] and Greece [89], with the majority of cases occurring June through August (73%) [30]. Just over half of the patients were males (53%), which is similar to the findings in the USA [90,91].…”

“…Thus, I. ricinus -mediated inoculation of such nonpathogenic strains into humans could conceivably elicit production of antibodies that would confirm seropositivity for exposure to A. phagocytophilum . The majority of the above European studies [30,81–89] calculated no significant difference in seroprevalence between males and females or in age ranges. Some studies reported regional differences in human seroprevalence between rural and urban areas [89].…”

“…The majority of the above European studies [30,81–89] calculated no significant difference in seroprevalence between males and females or in age ranges. Some studies reported regional differences in human seroprevalence between rural and urban areas [89]. As would be expected, the majority of the studies determined that people living in rural areas in close contact with habitats favorable to ticks or individuals working closely with animals were more likely to be seropositive for A. phagocytophilum antibodies.…”

“…However, a study conducted on the island of Crete, Greece, determined that not only was the human seroprevalence higher than in most other European countries (24.1%), but also there was no significant difference in the seroprevalences of people living in rural and urban areas. This was attributed to the Cretan culture where livestock farming is embraced as a way of life for both rural and urban dwellers [89]. …”

The Seroprevalence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in global human populations: a systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…A major reason for heterogeneity in our review was the regional variation in A. phagocytophilum seroprevalence in Europe and America. Studies conducted in 13 European countries in this review (including Poland, Norway, the Czech Republic, Portugal, Sweden, Slovakia and Slovenia) had A. phagocytophilum seroprevalence estimates >10% (Chmielewska‐Badoraet al, 2012; Cisak et al, 2005; Cochez et al, 2011; Dvorakova Heroldova & Dvorackova, 2014; Henningsson et al, 2015; Hjetland et al, 2015; Kalinova, Halanova, Cislakova, & Juris, 2015; Kocianova et al, 2008; Rojko et al, 2006; Wass et al, 2018; Fingerle et al, 1997; Chochlakis, Papaeustathiou, Minadakis, Psaroulaki, & Tselentis, 2008; Zukiewicz‐Sobczak et al, 2014), with the highest estimate being 30.1%. In Europe, about 100 confirmed HGA cases have been described since its initial identification in Slovenia in 1997 (Petrovec et al, 1997).…”