What is the Difference Between Lyme Disease and Anaplasmosis?

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Lyme disease and anaplasmosis are both tick-borne diseases caused by different bacteria transmitted by the bite of an infected tick. These diseases share some similarities but also have distinct differences.

Lyme Disease:

  • Caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi.
  • Transmitted by the bite of an infected deer tick.
  • Characterized by a bull's-eye rash, fever, chills, severe headache, and fatigue.
  • Can lead to neurological, cardiac, and joint complications if left untreated.

Anaplasmosis:

  • Caused by the bacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilum.
  • Transmitted by the bite of an infected blacklegged tick, the same tick that transmits Lyme disease.
  • Formerly known as Human Granulocytic Ehrlichiosis (HGE).
  • Characterized by fever, chills, severe headache, malaise, myalgia, gastrointestinal symptoms, and rash (in less than 10% of cases).
  • Less severe and life-threatening than Lyme disease, but can still be a serious and sometimes fatal disease.
  • More frequent in the Upper Midwest and northeastern United States.

Co-infection with both A. phagocytophilum and B. burgdorferi is possible due to the common vector (tick) involved in transmitting these diseases. Illness may be marked by a more severe course or incomplete response to treatment in cases of co-infection. Prevention of both diseases involves taking measures to avoid tick bites, such as using insect repellant, wearing protective clothing, and checking for ticks after spending time outdoors.

Comparative Table: Lyme Disease vs Anaplasmosis

Lyme disease and anaplasmosis are both tick-borne diseases, but they are caused by different bacteria and have distinct symptoms and characteristics. Here is a table comparing the differences between the two:

Feature Lyme Disease Anaplasmosis
Causative Bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi Anaplasma phagocytophilum
Transmitting Tick Black-legged tick (Ixodes scapularis) Black-legged tick (Ixodes scapularis)
Prevalence More common, with 28,453 reported cases in 2015 Less common, with 3,656 reported cases in 2015
Symptoms Bull's-eye rash, fever, chills, fatigue, headache, muscle and joint aches, and swollen lymph nodes Fever, chills, fatigue, headache, muscle and joint aches, and swollen lymph nodes
Fatality Rate Rarely fatal Fatal in about 1% of cases, with people over 60 and those who don't receive treatment quickly being at higher risk
Treatment Antibiotics, such as doxycycline, amoxicillin, or cefuroxime Antibiotics, same as for Lyme disease

Both diseases can be diagnosed through physical examination and blood tests, and they are mainly treated through prescribed antibiotics. Co-infection with Lyme disease and anaplasmosis happens from 2 to 12% of the time.