Anaplasmosis

Anaplasmosis is an infectious bacterial disease transmitted by ticks.

The disease is caused by the bite of a tick, which transmits the bacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilumto human beings. The bacterium particularly targets polynucleated leukocytes where it becomes established inside the cell.

After an incubation period of 7 to 21 days various symptoms such as fever, flu-like symptoms (headache, muscle and joint pain) and occasionally gastro-intestinal (nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea), dermatological problems (skin rash), or even confusion and pneumonia may develop.

As the agent responsible for anaplasmosis is a bacterium, the disease can be treated by antibiotics.