Human granulocytic anaplasmosis in the United States from 2008 to 2012: a summary of national surveillance data

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2015 Jul;93(1):66-72. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.15-0122. Epub 2015 Apr 13.

Abstract

Human granulocytic anaplasmosis is an acute, febrile illness transmitted by the ticks Ixodes scapularis and Ixodes pacificus in the United States. We present a summary of passive surveillance data for cases of anaplasmosis with onset during 2008-2012. The overall reported incidence rate (IR) was 6.3 cases per million person-years. Cases were reported from 38 states and from New York City, with the highest incidence in Minnesota (IR = 97), Wisconsin (IR = 79), and Rhode Island (IR = 51). Thirty-seven percent of cases were classified as confirmed, almost exclusively by polymerase chain reaction. The reported case fatality rate was 0.3% and the reported hospitalization rate was 31%. IRs, hospitalization rates, life-threatening complications, and case fatality rates increased with age group. The IR increased from 2008 to 2012 and the geographic range of reported cases of anaplasmosis appears to have increased since 2000-2007. Our findings are consistent with previous case series and recent reports of the expanding range of the tick vector I. scapularis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Anaplasma phagocytophilum*
  • Animals
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Ehrlichiosis / epidemiology*
  • Epidemiological Monitoring
  • Female
  • Hospitalization / statistics & numerical data*
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Ixodes
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • United States / epidemiology
  • Young Adult