0 News: New bacterium found causing tick-borne illness ehrlichiosis in Wisconsin and Minnesota

 ScienceDaily (2011-08-03) -- A new tick-borne bacterium infecting humans with ehrlichiosis has been discovered in Wisconsin and Minnesota.

Experts say the new species from the Ehrlichia genus can cause a feverish illness in humans.

The new bacterium, not yet named, has been identified in more than 25 people and found in black-legged ticks, also known as deer ticks (Ixodes scapularis), in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Researchers used culture and genetic analyses.

Citing from the article, this is important to know:

"Doctors need to know to test for ehrlichiosis in the two states so the diagnosis is not missed. However, traditional blood antibody tests may offer misleading results and fail to accurately identify the new species. A specific antibody test for the new bacterium has been developed by the CDC but isn't widely available. Instead, a molecular blood test that detects DNA from the new Ehrlichia species is the preferred method for detecting this disease in symptomatic patients."

READ MORE: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110803174745.htm#

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