Fatal Monocytic Ehrlichiosis in Woman, Mexico, 2013

Abstract

Human monocytic ehrlichiosis is a febrile illness caused by Ehrlichia chaffeensis, an intracellular bacterium transmitted by ticks. In Mexico, a case of E. chaffeensis infection in an immunocompetent 31-year-old woman without recognized tick bite was fatal. This diagnosis should be considered for patients with fever, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and elevated liver enzyme levels.

Keywords

• Ehrlichia chaffeensis
• human monocytic ehrlichiosis
• bacteria
• vector-borne infections
• ticks
• Mexico