Serologic Evidence of Ehrlichiosis Among Humans and Wild Animals in The Netherlands

Abstract

The seroprevalence of antibodies directed against granulocytic and monocytic Ehrlichia was determined by use of human granulocytic ehrlichiosis agent and Ehrlichia chaffeensis as surrogate antigens. Seven hundred twenty-one serum samples were collected between 1992 and 1999 from febrile patients with unresolved aetiology (n=108), patients suspected of having Lyme disease (n=174), forestry workers (n=154) and healthy controls (n=54) as well as from wild deer (n=96), hares (n=60), wild boar (n=15) and red foxes (n=60). Reactive antibodies against granulocytic Ehrlichia were detected in 4% of febrile patients with unresolved aetiology and in 4% of patients suspected of having Lyme disease. Among the forestry workers, 1% tested positive for antibodies against granulocytic Ehrlichia, whereas all the healthy controls were negative. Antibody reaction against monocytic Ehrlichia was detected in only 2% of the febrile patients. Granulocytic Ehrlichia and monocytic Ehrlichia-reactive serum antibodies were detected in 22% and 3% of the deer samples, respectively, and in 2% of the hares. In wild boars and in red foxes, only serum antibodies reactive against monocytic Ehrlichia were detected in 13% and 7%, respectively. The demonstration of the presence of both granulocytic and monocytic Ehrlichia-reactive serum antibodies among humans and wild animals in The Netherlands indicates that patients suspected of having Lyme disease and febrile patients with unresolved aetiology should be tested for the presence of granulocytic and monocytic Ehrlichia antibodies or by polymerase chain reaction. Furthermore, granulocytic Ehrlichia are most prevalent in humans and animals in The Netherlands.

Segregation of genetic variants of Anaplasma phagocytophilum circulating among wild ruminants within a Bohemian forest (Czech Republic)

“…In Europe, infections in forest artiodactyls apparently occur throughout the continent. Seroepidemiological and PCR data exist for western Europe (Alberdi et al, 2000;Groen et al, 2002), the Mediterranean region (Petrovec et al, 2002;Oporto et al, 2003;de la Fuente et al, 2005b;Beninati et al, 2006), and Scandinavia (Jenkins et al, 2001;Stuen et al, 2002a;Skarphedinsson et al, 2005). In Central Europe, evidence of A. phagocytophilum infections was reported from roe deer, red deer, fallow deer, moufflon, wisent, and wild boar (Liz et al, 2002;Petrovec et al, 2003;Polin et al, 2004;Grzeszczuk et al, 2004;Hulinska et al, 2004;Smetanova´et al, 2006;Adamska, 2006).…”

Anaplasma Phagocytophilum - the Most Widespread Tick-Borne Infection in Animals in Europe

“…Besides domestic ruminants, A. phagocytophilum infection has been identified in cats (Bjöersdorff et al, 1999), dogs (Bellström, 1989, horses (Bjöersdorff et al, 1990), European bison (Grzeszczuk et al, 2003), wild boars (Petrovec et al, 2002), red foxes , donkey (de la Fuente et al, 2005a), small rodents (Liz et al, 2000, Christova andGladnishka, 2005), moose (Jenkins et al, 2001), roe deer (Stuen et al, 2001a), red deer (Petrovec et al, 2002) and humans (Petrovec et al, 1997). Antibodies have also been detected in hare (Lepus capensis) (Groen et al, 2002) and Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) (Ryser-Degiorgis et al, 2005).…”

Prevalence of Neoehrlichia mikurensis in ticks and rodents from North-west Europe

“…Despite the presence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in questing Ixodes ricinus ticks in the Netherlands [4], only one human case has been reported [5]. Seropositivity against anaplasmosis was observed in risk groups, such as foresters and suspected Lyme disease patients, but not in control groups [6]. Still, the incidence of these tick-borne diseases and the associated public health risks remain largely unknown.…”