Human Monocytic Ehrlichiosis (HME)

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Human Monocytic Ehrlichiosis (HME)

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(HME) is not the name you expected. Please check the synonyms

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Synonyms

Human Ehrlichial Infection, Human Monocytic Type

Disorder Subdivisions

None General Discussion

Human Monocytic Ehrlichiosis (HME) is a rare infectious disease belonging to

a group of diseases known as the Human Ehrlichioses. These diseases are caused

by bacteria belonging to the " Ehrlichia " family. Several forms of Human

Ehrlichioses have been identified, including Human Monocytic Ehrlichiosis,

Sennetsu

Fever, and Human Granulocytic Ehrlichiosis. Though caused by different

strains of Ehrlichia bacteria, the disorders are characterized by similar

symptoms.

The symptoms of Human Monocytic Ehrlichiosis may include a sudden high fever,

headache, muscle aches (myalgia), chills, and a general feeling of weakness

and fatigue (malaise) within a few weeks after initial infection. In addition,

in many cases, laboratory findings may indicate an abnormally low number of

circulating blood platelets (thrombocytopenia), a decrease in white blood cells

(leukopenia), and an abnormal increase in the level of certain liver enzymes

(hepatic transaminases). In some individuals, symptoms may progress to include

nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, and/or confusion. If HME is left

untreated, life-threatening symptoms, such as kidney failure and respiratory

insufficiency, may develop in some cases. Human Monocytic Ehrlichiosis is caused

by

the bacteria Ehrlichia chaffeensis (or E. chaffeensis). E. chaffeensis is

carried and transmitted by certain ticks (vectors), such as the Lone Star tick

(Amblyomma americanum) and the American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis).

For a Complete Report

This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disord

ers, Inc. ® (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be obtained for a small

fee by visiting the NORD website. The complete report contains additional

information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders,

standard and investigational treatments (if available), and references from

medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, see

http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdblist.html

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