Value of PCR, Serology, and Blood Smears for Human Granulocytic Anaplasmosis Diagnosis, France

Emerg Infect Dis. 2019 May;25(5):996-998. doi: 10.3201/eid2505.171751.

Abstract

We prospectively examined the effectiveness of diagnostic tests for anaplasmosis using patients with suspected diagnoses in France. PCR (sensitivity 0.74, specificity 1) was the best-suited test. Serology had a lower specificity but higher sensitivity when testing acute and convalescent samples. PCR and serology should be used in combination for anaplasmosis diagnosis.

Keywords: Anaplasma phagocytophilum; France; HGA; PCR; anaplasmosis; bacteria; blood smears; diagnosis; diagnostics; human granulocytic anaplasmosis; prospective study; serology; tickborne diseases; vector-borne infections.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anaplasma phagocytophilum / classification*
  • Anaplasma phagocytophilum / genetics*
  • Anaplasmosis / diagnosis*
  • Anaplasmosis / epidemiology
  • Anaplasmosis / microbiology*
  • Biopsy
  • France / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Prospective Studies
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Serologic Tests