First Case of Human Ehrlichiosis in Mexico

摘要

To the Editor: Ehrlichiosis is a zoonotic disease transmitted to humans through the bite of infected ticks (1). The first recognized human ehrlichial infection, Sennetsu fever, was described in Japan in 1954 (2). The first case of human ehrlichiosis in the United States was recognized in 1986 and was reported in 1987 (3). The disease is caused by intracellular gramnegative bacteria of the Ehrlichia genus. The bacteria can be found in the monocytes and granulocytes of peripheral blood. Human monocytic ehrlichiosis is caused by E. chafeensis, and human granulocytic ehrlichiosis is caused by E. equi or E. phagocytophilia, which was first recognized in 1994 (4). Most cases occur between April and September, and the reservoirs are field animals such as rodents, deer, and dogs. The clinical spectrum of the disease is similar to that of other febrile illnesses; without adequate and timely treatment, approximately 5% of the patients die (5).