因为埃里希体病和边虫病累及多个系统且缺乏特异性临床特征,所以埃里希体病和边虫病的鉴别诊断范围广泛。[55]Schutze GE, Jacobs RF. Human monocytic ehrlichiosis in children. Pediatrics. 1997 Jul;100(1):E10.http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/100/1/e10http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9200384?tool=bestpractice.com[56]Schutze GE. Ehrlichiosis. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2006 Jan;25(1):71-2.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16395107?tool=bestpractice.com 患者如果可能接触过蜱/有蜱叮咬表现,结合突然发热和特征性全身症状、白细胞减少和/或血小板减少症以及 LFT 升高,可以做出假定的诊断。通过血清学检查或 PCR 可确诊。即使在疫区,也需要高度怀疑感染诊断。[57]Weil AA, Baron EL, Brown CM, et al. Clinical findings and diagnosis in human granulocytic anaplasmosis: a case series from Massachusetts. Mayo Clin Proc. 2012 Mar;87(3):233-9.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22386178?tool=bestpractice.com
埃里希体病和边虫病是国家法定报告传染病,医务人员应当上报当地卫生部门。通过国家电子电信监测系统 (National Electronic Telecommunications System for Surveillance) 通知美国疾病控制与预防中心 (The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)。
病史
可能的蜱暴露(例如蜱活跃月份期间,在疫区有户外活动)和症状发作前 14 天内证实有蜱叮咬,这些都是关键危险因素,支持怀疑任何蜱传播疾病。
[Figure caption and citation for the preceding image starts]: 蜱叮咬的较晚期,中央坏死(蜱叮咬伤口周围的暗色区域),周围是显著的红斑区域承蒙 Edwin Masters 医学博士提供 [Citation ends].
感染通常表现为急性疾病;蜱叮咬后的潜伏期为 1 至 2 周。一些患者可能无症状,但这很罕见,尤其是在成人中。年龄在 60 岁以上的患者中,感染一般更严重。[14]Olano JP, Masters E, Hogrefe W, et al. Human monocytotropic ehrlichiosis, Missouri. Emerg Infect Dis. 2003 Dec;9(12):1579-86.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14720399?tool=bestpractice.com[52]Fishbein DB, Kemp A, Dawson JE, et al. Human ehrlichiosis: prospective active surveillance in febrile hospitalized patients. J Infect Dis. 1989 Nov;160(5):803-9.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2809255?tool=bestpractice.com[53]Bakken JS, Krueth J, Wilson-Nordskog C, et al. Clinical and laboratory characteristics of human granulocytic ehrlichiosis. JAMA. 1989 Nov;160(5):803-9.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8604172?tool=bestpractice.com[54]Horowitz HW, Aguero-Rosenfeld ME, McKenna DF, et al. Clinical and laboratory spectrum of culture-proven human granulocytic ehrlichiosis: comparison with culture-negative cases. Clin Infect Dis. 1998;27:1314-1317.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9827289?tool=bestpractice.com
突然发热,加上其他全身症状,例如寒颤、肌痛、不适、头痛、关节痛或恶心,是最常的表现。 对于任何突然发热并且可能有蜱暴露的患者,应当考虑诊断本病。 不太常见的表现包括非特异性症状,例如腹痛、呕吐、腹泻、咳嗽、呼吸困难、皮疹。 在儿童中,皮疹比成人常见。
[Figure caption and citation for the preceding image starts]: 在一例人嗜单核细胞/单核细胞埃立克体病儿科病例中,红斑样斑疹累及下肢承蒙 Edwin Masters 医学博士提供 [Citation ends].
颈强直、畏光、意识错乱等神经系统症状罕见。
人嗜粒细胞/粒细胞无形体病 (HGA) 可以与莱姆病、巴贝虫病、蜱传脑炎共存。
体格检查
一般而言,体格检查没有发现;然而,可能发现皮肤上有小的圆形红斑性皮损,伴有或不伴有小的坏死性暗色中心(蜱叮咬)。 人嗜单核细胞/单核细胞埃立克体病 (HME) 患者可能出现淋巴结病、肝大(儿童更常见)、黄疸、脾大;然而这些都罕见。 木僵、癫痫发作或昏迷等 CNS 并发症也罕见,但在 HME 中比 HGA 常见。 重度 HME 和 HGA 病例可以见到念珠菌病、巨细胞病毒感染、曲霉菌病征象。 这些患者为何更加易感,尚不完全清楚,但认为 HME 或 HGA 急性感染会导致一定程度的免疫抑制。
实验室检查
首先应当进行全血细胞计数、外周血涂片和 LFT 等检查。在疾病的第一周,常见白细胞减少伴有绝对和相对的淋巴细胞减少,通常伴有血小板减少;然而,白细胞计数正常不能排除诊断。血涂片上可见桑葚状包涵体,但是这在携带鼠埃立克体样病原体 (EMLA) 的患者身上尚未观察到。贫血不太常见。LFT 通常轻至中度升高。在疾病第二周,可以看到显著的绝对和相对反弹性淋巴细胞增多。
如果 LFT 升高,存在白细胞减少和血小板减少,这是非常强的诊断证据。 如果强烈怀疑本病,即使这些检验正常,也可以根据推测开始治疗。 然后可以继续实施特异性实验室检查,包括血清学或 PCR 检查。 最好是在患者首次接受抗生素给药之前采集用于确诊试验的标本。
血清学
免疫荧光法抗体测定是最确切、最广泛可用的 HME 和 HGA 检测方法,基于检测血清中的查菲埃立克体或嗜吞噬细胞无形体抗体是否升高。[58]Dumler JS, Madigan JE, Pusterla N, et al. Ehrlichioses in humans: epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment. Clin Infect Dis. 2007 Jul 15;45 Suppl 1:S45-51.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17582569?tool=bestpractice.com[53]Bakken JS, Krueth J, Wilson-Nordskog C, et al. Clinical and laboratory characteristics of human granulocytic ehrlichiosis. JAMA. 1989 Nov;160(5):803-9.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8604172?tool=bestpractice.com[59]Bakken JS, Dumler JS. Human granulocytic ehrlichiosis. Clin Infect Dis. 2000 Aug;31(2):554-60.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10987720?tool=bestpractice.com[60]Olano J, Walker DH. Current recommendations for diagnosis and treatment of human ehrlichiosis. Infect Med. 2002;19:318-325.[61]Aguero-Rosenfeld ME, Horowitz HW, Wormser GP, et al. Human granulocytic ehrlichiosis: a case series from a medical center in New York State. Ann Intern Med. 1996 Dec 1;125(11):904-8.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8967671?tool=bestpractice.com[62]Comer JA, Nicholson WL, Sumner JW, et al. Diagnosis of human ehrlichiosis by PCR assay of acute-phase serum. J Clin Microbiol. 1999 Jan;37(1):31-4.http://jcm.asm.org/cgi/content/full/37/1/31http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9854059?tool=bestpractice.com[63]Comer JA, Nicholson WL, Olson JG, et al. Serologic testing for human granulocytic ehrlichiosis at a national referral center. J Clin Microbiol. 1999 Mar;37(3):558-64.http://jcm.asm.org/cgi/content/full/37/3/558http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9986812?tool=bestpractice.com[64]Paddock CD, Childs JE. Ehrlichia chaffeensis: a prototypical emerging pathogen. Clin Microbiol Rev. 2003 Jan;16(1):37-64.http://cmr.asm.org/cgi/content/full/16/1/37http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12525424?tool=bestpractice.com[65]Walker DH. Task Force on Consensus Approach for Ehrlichiosis. Diagnosing human ehrlichioses: current status and recommendations. ASM News. 2000;66:287-290.[66]Olano JP, Walker DH. Human ehrlichioses. Med Clin North Am. 2002 Mar;86(2):375-92.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11982308?tool=bestpractice.com[67]Bakken JS, Haller I, Riddell D, et al. The serological response of patients infected with the agent of human granulocytic ehrlichiosis. Clin Infect Dis. 2002 Jan 1;34(1):22-7.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11731941?tool=bestpractice.com[68]Walls JJ, Aguero-Rosenfeld M, Bakken JS, et al. Inter- and intralaboratory comparison of Ehrlichia equi and human granulocytic ehrlichiosis (HGE) agent strains for serodiagnosis of HGE by the immunofluorescent-antibody test. J Clin Microbiol. 1999 Sep;37(9):2968-73.http://jcm.asm.org/cgi/content/full/37/9/2968http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10449483?tool=bestpractice.com
应当在急性期和恢复期(也就是 2-4 周后)再次采集血液进行比较,用于证明抗体滴度上升。如果抗体滴度呈四倍或更大倍数的增加,则具有诊断意义。[69]Biggs HM, Behravesh CB, Bradley KK, et al. Diagnosis and management of tickborne rickettsial diseases: Rocky Mountain spotted fever and other spotted fever group rickettsioses, ehrlichioses, and anaplasmosis - United States. MMWR Recomm Rep. 2016 May 13;65(2):1-44.http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/65/rr/rr6502a1.htm?s_cid=rr6502a1_whttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27172113?tool=bestpractice.com
由于与查菲埃立克体之间存在大量交叉反应性抗体,血清学不能用于诊断人尤氏埃立克体病 (HEE)。
多聚酶链式反应 (PCR)
在本病急性阶段,当患者有发热和其他症状时,使用以特异性埃立克体基因为靶标的引物,检测外周血/组织标本中的细菌 DNA/RNA,是HME和HGA最可靠的诊断。[14]Olano JP, Masters E, Hogrefe W, et al. Human monocytotropic ehrlichiosis, Missouri. Emerg Infect Dis. 2003 Dec;9(12):1579-86.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14720399?tool=bestpractice.com[15]Standaert SM, Yu T, Scott MA, et al. Primary isolation of Ehrlichia chaffeensis from patients with febrile illnesses: clinical and molecular characteristics. J Infect Dis. 2000 Mar;181(3):1082-8.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10720534?tool=bestpractice.com[17]Standaert SM, Dawson JE, Schaffner W, et al. Ehrlichiosis in a golf-oriented retirement community. N Engl J Med. 1995 Aug 17;333(7):420-5.http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJM199508173330704#t=articlehttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7616991?tool=bestpractice.com[20]Bakken JS, Goellner P, Van Etten M, et al. Seroprevalence of human granulocytic ehrlichiosis among permanent residents of northwestern Wisconsin. Clin Infect Dis. 1998 Dec;27(6):1491-6.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9868666?tool=bestpractice.com[49]Paddock CD, Folk SM, Shore GM, et al. Infections with Ehrlichia chaffeensis and Ehrlichia ewingii in persons coinfected with human immunodeficiency virus. Clin Infect Dis. 2001 Nov 1;33(9):1586-94.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11568857?tool=bestpractice.com[53]Bakken JS, Krueth J, Wilson-Nordskog C, et al. Clinical and laboratory characteristics of human granulocytic ehrlichiosis. JAMA. 1989 Nov;160(5):803-9.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8604172?tool=bestpractice.com[61]Aguero-Rosenfeld ME, Horowitz HW, Wormser GP, et al. Human granulocytic ehrlichiosis: a case series from a medical center in New York State. Ann Intern Med. 1996 Dec 1;125(11):904-8.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8967671?tool=bestpractice.com[70]Everett ED, Evans KA, Henry RB, et al. Human ehrlichiosis in adults after tick exposure: diagnosis using polymerase chain reaction. Ann Intern Med. 1994 May 1;120(9):730-5.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8147545?tool=bestpractice.com[71]Anderson BE, Sumner JW, Dawson JE, et al. Detection of the etiologic agent of human ehrlichiosis by polymerase chain reaction. J Clin Microbiol. 1992 Apr;30(4):775-80.http://jcm.asm.org/cgi/reprint/30/4/775http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1374076?tool=bestpractice.com[72]Sirigireddy KR, Ganta RR. Multiplex detection of Ehrlichia and Anaplasma species pathogens in peripheral blood by real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. J Mol Diagn. 2005 May;7(2):308-16.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15858156?tool=bestpractice.com[73]Doyle CK, Labruna MB, Breitschwerdt EB, et al. Detection of medically important Ehrlichia by quantitative multicolor TaqMan real-time polymerase chain reaction of the dsb gene. J Mol Diagn. 2005 Oct;7(4):504-10.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16237220?tool=bestpractice.com[74]Bakken JS, Dumler JS. Clinical diagnosis and treatment of human granulocytotropic anaplasmosis. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2006 Oct;1078:236-47.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17114714?tool=bestpractice.com[75]Bakken JS, Dumler JS, Chen SM, et al. Human granulocytic ehrlichiosis in the upper Midwest United States: a new species emerging? JAMA. 1994 Jul 20;272(3):212-8.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8022040?tool=bestpractice.com[76]Courtney JW, Dryden RL, Wyleto P, et al. Characterization of Anaplasma phagocytophila and Borrelia burgdorferi genotypes in Ixodes scapularis ticks from Pennsylvania. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2003 Jun;990:131-3.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12860614?tool=bestpractice.com[77]Dumler JS, Brouqui P. Molecular diagnosis of human granulocytic anaplasmosis. Expert Rev Mol Diagn. 2004 Jul;4(4):559-69.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15225103?tool=bestpractice.com
使用尤氏埃立克体的特异性引物进行 PCR 检测,是诊断 HEE 的唯一可用方法;[4]Buller RS, Arens M, Hmiel SP, et al. Ehrlichia ewingii, a newly recognized agent of human ehrlichiosis. N Engl J Med. 1999 Jul 15;341(3):148-55.http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJM199907153410303#t=articlehttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10403852?tool=bestpractice.com[78]Gusa AA, Buller RS, Storch GA, et al. Identification of a p28 gene in Ehrlichia ewingii: evaluation of gene for use as a target for a species-specific PCR diagnostic assay. J Clin Microbiol. 2001 Nov;39(11):3871-6.http://jcm.asm.org/cgi/content/full/39/11/3871http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11682500?tool=bestpractice.com尤氏埃立克体无法培养,与查菲埃立克体之间存在广泛的血清学交叉反应。
用于确诊的其他检验方法包括 Western 免疫印迹法、培养、免疫组织化学法;然而,没有常规使用这些检测方法。
同时感染
由于硬蜱中存在疏螺旋体属和巴贝虫属,所以 HGA 病例中可能同时或相继感染前两种病原体。[79]Thompson C, Spielman A, Krause PJ. Coinfecting deer-associated zoonoses: Lyme disease, babesiosis, and ehrlichiosis. Clin Infect Dis. 2001 Sep 1;33(5):676-85.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11486290?tool=bestpractice.com[80]Krause PJ, Telford SR 3rd, Spielman A, et al. Concurrent Lyme disease and babesiosis. Evidence for increased severity and duration of illness. JAMA. 1996 Jun 5;275(21):1657-60.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8637139?tool=bestpractice.com[81]Benach JL, Coleman JL, Habicht GS, et al. Serological evidence for simultaneous occurrences of Lyme disease and babesiosis. J Infect Dis. 1985 Sep;152(3):473-7.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/4031555?tool=bestpractice.com[82]Magnarelli LA, Dumler JS, Anderson JF, et al. Coexistence of antibodies to tick-borne pathogens of babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, and Lyme borreliosis in human sera. J Clin Microbiol. 1995 Nov;33(11):3054-7.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC228637/http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8576376?tool=bestpractice.com[83]Nadelman RB, Horowitz HW, Hsieh TC, et al. Simultaneous human granulocytic ehrlichiosis and Lyme borreliosis. N Engl J Med. 1997 Jul 3;337(1):27-30.http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJM199707033370105http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9203428?tool=bestpractice.com 在美国东北部和中西部偏北地区,媒介是肩板硬蜱,而在该国西部地区,媒介是太平洋硬蜱。在后一地区,莱姆疏螺旋体病(即莱姆病)和巴贝虫病的发生率更低。[79]Thompson C, Spielman A, Krause PJ. Coinfecting deer-associated zoonoses: Lyme disease, babesiosis, and ehrlichiosis. Clin Infect Dis. 2001 Sep 1;33(5):676-85.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11486290?tool=bestpractice.com
所有 3 种病原体的自然宿主都是白足鼠 (Peromyscus leucopus),而鹿(Odocoileus virginianus 或白尾鹿)是这些蜱媒介的最终宿主。在欧洲和东欧/亚洲也出现了共感染,但媒介分别是篦子硬蜱和全沟硬蜱。[84]Heyman P, Cochez C, Hofhuis A, et al. A clear and present danger: tick-borne diseases in Europe. Exp Rev Anti Infect Ther. 2010 Jan;8(1):33-50.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20014900?tool=bestpractice.com
在媒介中是否存在其中多种病原体,主要取决于所研究的地理区域。[79]Thompson C, Spielman A, Krause PJ. Coinfecting deer-associated zoonoses: Lyme disease, babesiosis, and ehrlichiosis. Clin Infect Dis. 2001 Sep 1;33(5):676-85.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11486290?tool=bestpractice.com[85]Mather TN, Telford SR 3rd, Moore SI, et al. Borrelia burgdorferi and Babesia microti: efficiency of transmission from reservoirs to vector ticks (Ixodes dammini). Exper Parasitol. 1990 Jan;70(1):55-61.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2295326?tool=bestpractice.com 在美国和欧洲导致莱姆疏螺旋体病的病原体包括伯氏疏螺旋体、伽氏疏螺旋体 (B garini)(神经系统疾病的发病率更高)、阿氏疏螺旋体 (B afzelii)。后两者在欧洲更普遍。[84]Heyman P, Cochez C, Hofhuis A, et al. A clear and present danger: tick-borne diseases in Europe. Exp Rev Anti Infect Ther. 2010 Jan;8(1):33-50.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20014900?tool=bestpractice.com[86]Aguero-Rosenfeld ME. Laboratory aspects of tick-borne diseases: lyme, human granulocytic ehrlichiosis and babesiosis. Mt Sinai J Med. 2003 May;70(3):197-206.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12764539?tool=bestpractice.com[87]van Dam AP, Kuiper H, Vos K, et al. Different genospecies of Borrelia burgdorferi are associated with distinct clinical manifestations of Lyme borreliosis. Clin Infect Dis. 1993 Oct;17(4):708-17.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7903558?tool=bestpractice.com 与巴贝虫病一样,美国的大多数感染是由微巴贝虫导致(东北部和中西部)。未命名的种属 WA-1、CA-1 和 MO1 一般发生在美国西海岸。[79]Thompson C, Spielman A, Krause PJ. Coinfecting deer-associated zoonoses: Lyme disease, babesiosis, and ehrlichiosis. Clin Infect Dis. 2001 Sep 1;33(5):676-85.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11486290?tool=bestpractice.com 在欧洲,主要病原体是分歧巴贝虫。[84]Heyman P, Cochez C, Hofhuis A, et al. A clear and present danger: tick-borne diseases in Europe. Exp Rev Anti Infect Ther. 2010 Jan;8(1):33-50.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20014900?tool=bestpractice.com
诊断同时感染应当依靠直接方法,例如对病原体的显微镜观察(在疏螺旋体病患者中,通过对皮肤活检标本银染色观察到螺旋体、PCR 或培养;在巴贝虫病病例中,在外周血涂片上观察到红细胞内寄生虫和 PCR 法;在 HGA 病例中,显微镜观察到外周血涂片上的多形核白细胞存在细胞质内桑葚状包涵体、PCR 或培养)。[86]Aguero-Rosenfeld ME. Laboratory aspects of tick-borne diseases: lyme, human granulocytic ehrlichiosis and babesiosis. Mt Sinai J Med. 2003 May;70(3):197-206.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12764539?tool=bestpractice.com 由于在重疫区,针对这些病原体的抗体比例较高,应当避免使用血清学方法诊断共感染。然而,如果在间隔 2 至 4 周采集的样本中,有抗体升高的证据,强烈提示存在这些病原体所致的急性感染。临床上,如果存在典型的皮肤表现,例如游走性红斑或环状皮疹,诊断伯氏疏螺旋体感染相对容易。然而,HGA 和巴贝虫病都表现为没有差异的发热性疾病,且没有显著特征,彼此难以鉴别,也难以与其他非特异性发热性疾病鉴别,包括蜱传播疾病,例如落基山斑点热和蜱传脑炎(由黄病毒属所致)。与单独发生的感染相比,莱姆病和巴贝虫病同时发生时,临床表现通常更加严重。[79]Thompson C, Spielman A, Krause PJ. Coinfecting deer-associated zoonoses: Lyme disease, babesiosis, and ehrlichiosis. Clin Infect Dis. 2001 Sep 1;33(5):676-85.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11486290?tool=bestpractice.com[80]Krause PJ, Telford SR 3rd, Spielman A, et al. Concurrent Lyme disease and babesiosis. Evidence for increased severity and duration of illness. JAMA. 1996 Jun 5;275(21):1657-60.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8637139?tool=bestpractice.com