# Comparison of the epidemiological and clinical fingerprints of Human Granulocytotropic Anaplasmosis and Human Monocytotropic Ehrlichiosis in the United States

## TL;DR

This study compares the epidemiology and clinical features of two tick-borne diseases, HGA and HME, in the U.S., highlighting differences in symptoms, age groups affected, and outcomes.

## Contribution

The study provides a systematic comparison of clinical and epidemiological features of HGA and HME in the U.S., revealing distinct patterns in age, symptoms, and outcomes.

## Key findings

- HME cases were more frequent in younger and immunocompromised individuals with gastrointestinal symptoms and elevated liver tests.
- HGA cases were more likely to present with pulmonary symptoms and encephalitis.
- HME had higher hospitalization and fatality rates compared to HGA.

## Abstract

Human granulocytotropic anaplasmosis (HGA), caused by Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and human monocytotropic ehrlichiosis (HME), caused by Ehrlichia chaffeensis, are tick-borne zoonoses. The vast majority of Anaplasma phagocytophilum infections reported worldwide are from the United States. Ehrlichia chaffeensis infections are reported exclusively from North America, with the majority reported from the United States. We have recently summarized the available data on HGA and HME in the form of two systematic reviews. We compared data from these two systematic reviews to objectify differences in epidemiological and clinical presentation between the two diseases in the United States.

From our recently published systematic reviews on HGA and HME, «best evidence data» were extracted and comparatively analyzed. Cases were included if (i) they had a high level of diagnostic certainty (i.e., diagnosed by PCR, culture, immunostaining of tissue, or paired IgG IFA serology), (ii) individual clinical data were available, (iii) no concomitantly present coinfection(s) were reported, and (iv) the infection was acquired in the United States.

HME cases were statistically more frequent immunocompromised and younger and had gastrointestinal symptoms, hepatosplenomegaly and elevated liver function tests (LFT) levels. HGA cases were statistically more frequent presenting with pulmonary symptoms and encephalitis. Hospitalization and a fatal outcome was more frequent in HME. No differences in fatal outcome were observed between immunocompetent and immunocompromised HME cases.

Although HGA and HME show similarities, there are statistically significant differences in terms of their clinical patterns and outcomes and a not yet described difference in the affected age pattern.