Heartland Virus Infection in Elderly Patient Initially Suspected of Having Ehrlichiosis, North Carolina, USA

Abstract

We report a patient in North Carolina, USA, with Heartland virus infection whose diagnosis was complicated by previous Ehrlichia chaffeensis infection. We identified E. ewingii–infected and Bourbon virus–infected tick pools at the patient’s residence. Healthcare providers should consider testing for tickborne viruses if ehrlichiosis is suspected.

Keywords

• ehrlichiosis
• Ehrlichia chaffeensis
• Ehrlichia ewingii
• Heartland virus
• Bourbon virus
• co-infection