Ehrlichiosis laboratory findings
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Laboratory Findings
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
- Most effective within the acute phase of illness (first week of illness).
- Negative result does not completely rule out analysis. [1]
Peripheral Blood Smear
- Most effective during the first week of illness.
- May reveal morulae (microcolonies of ehrlichiae.)
- Identifying the type of infected blood cell may indicate the infecting species.
- E. chaffeensis infects monocytes.
- E. ewingii infects granulocytes.
- Verification of infecting species must be confirmed with a culture isolation at a specialized laboratory. [1]
Immunofluorescence
- Gold standard serologic test for ehrlichiosis.
- Sample should be extracted as early in the disease as possible.
- A second sample should be taken 2-4 weeks later.
- Typically the first count is low, however will significantly increase by the second sample.
- Testing should include both an IgM and IgG titer. [1]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Ehrlichiosis symptoms. http://www.cdc.gov/ehrlichiosis/symptoms/Accessed January 20,2016.