[Last Modified: ]

December 2001
Answer to Case 73
This was a case of ehrlichiosis, a bacterial disease that can be transmitted by certain tick vectors.  Babesiosis may have been the presumed diagnosis given the clinical history and symptoms, however, no Babesia spp. were seen on the blood film.  Serology and PCR may be useful to rule out babesiosis if blood smears are repeatedly negative.  The cytoplasmic inclusions seen in the white blood cells shown in the image files, symptomology, and tick exposure indicate erlichiosis (Figures A, B, and C).

A	B

C

Click here for more information about ehrlichiosis.