1. Cancer Connection -Chronic Lyme Disease
Co-infection Ehrlichiosis often ignored:
Cancer Connection -Chronic Lyme Disease
Co-infection Ehrlichiosis often ignored:
Because Ehrlichiosis is rarely tested for, chronic Ehrlichiosis patients are widely
misdiagnosed with autoimmune disorders or other chronic diseases with similar
symptomologies. Symptoms of associated with Ehrlichiosis can include high fever,
headache, chills, in addition to muscular aches and pains. These closely mimic those of
other tick-borne diseases.
Key Points on Ehrlichiosis
Ehrlichiosis is caused by rickettsial-type (specific bacteria) organisms and comes in two
specific forms:
 Human Monocytic Ehrlichiosis (HME)
 Human Granulocytic Ehrlichiosis (HGE)
The bite of the Lone Star tick (Amblyomma Americanum) bite is said to be the origin of
HME, while HGE has been linked to both Deer tick (Ixodes Scapularis) and Western
blacklegged tick (Ixodes Pacificus) bites. The dog tick (Dermacentor Variabilis) is known
to transmit both HME and HE varieties of Ehrlichiosis.

2. The ticks that pass Ehrlichiosis are also Lyme disease transmitters so those who
contract the disease should immediately be tested for Lyme as well – the likelihood is
great.
Can Ehrlichiosis be Spread in Blood Transfusion? Yes!
Unlike some other blood-borne pathogens, Ehrlichiosis and other tick borne infections
can be passed on through transfusions. This happens as the demand for blood supply
limits testing to hepatitis and HIV. Lyme and its co-infections are suspected to exist in
great numbers among donors and their resultant transfusion supplies.
Ehrlichiosis – Creating Central Nervous System Problems
In routine central nervous system (CNS) radiological studies, analyses of cerebrospinal
fluid (CSF) samples are seldom pursued. Typically, such tests are prompted only when
primary care physicians detect specific symptoms or signs that tip the need for more
information. In such circumstance when CSF samples were examined (in 15 of 57
patients,) 8 of the 15 were found abnormal. The most common abnormalities found
among the abnormal 15 percent were lymphocytic pleocytosis and elevated protein
levels.
Ehrlichiosis – Cancer Connection
There are four bacteria known to survive and propagate within human neutrophils and
their bone marrow origins - Ehrlichiosis is one of them.This tick-transmitted rickettsial
pathogen, anaplasma phagocytophilum, is a causative agent of human granulocytic
anaplasmosis and is found in the direct family line of Ehrlichiosis.
About 70 percent of all white blood cells are neutrophils – cells considered to be
unsuitable hosts by intracellular bacteria as they are short-lived and serve as primary
defense cells, armed with significant antimicrobial apparatus.
A. phagocytophilum infection can alter neutrophil functions and result in clinical disease.
Moreover, this infection can inhibit or retard apoptosis, oxidative burst, and
phagocytosis, while activating degranulation and cytokine/chemokine production – often
leading to cancer. At this time it is impossible to say how many infections are cancer
causatives, but this one certainly seems to have a link suggesting that leukemia and
other lymphatic cancers are catalyzed by epigenetic shifts resultant of Ehrlichiosis.
Choi KS, Grab DJ, Dumler JS (2004) Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection induces protracted neutrophil
degranulation. Infect Immun 72: 3680–3683.
Ehrlichiosis and Immune system problems in Patients:
The zoonotic illness Ehrlichiosis is caused by Ehrlichia species - bacteria that are
decidedly pleomorphic, intracellular, rickettsia-like organisms.[2-4] Ehrlichia present a

3. clinical spectrum, or symptomology that can vary from a mild, influenza-like illness, to a
fulminant sepsis syndrome. Typically, we find that Ehrlichiosis is self-limiting and not
fatal with death rates in large, unselected series ranging from 1 to 8 percent [3,6-8] -
contrasting sharply with the high death rate of patients suffering with the disease who
were already immunocompromised.
Emerging Infectious Diseases. 2002;8(3) © 2002 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC)
The Central Nervous System Invader, Ehrlichiosis
Neurologic manifestations effect up to 20 percent of Ehrlichiosis patients who can suffer
with a spectrum of symptoms including everything from confusion to frank meningitis. In
one recent case, a patient dealt with persistent obundation and delirium even after fever
has dissipated post-doxycycline administration.
Ehrlichia should be considered in the event that headache and confusion come with
pancytopenia and transaminase elevation - particularly if the patient has had potential
tick exposures.
It should not be surprising that an Ehrlichiosis diagnosis is often because of its
nonspecific clinical and laboratory manifestations. Among patients who were previously
immunocompromised, diagnosis can be further delayed because the search for
opportunistic infections may further obscure the recognition that Ehrlichia is present.
Empiric antimicrobial regimens that are often administered for suspected cryptogenic
bacterial and fungal sepsis to immunocompromised subjects rarely include drugs
effective against Ehrlichia.
Emerging Infectious Diseases. 2002;8(3) © 2002 Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC)
Considering a Diagnosing Ehrlichiosis
For any patient with potential tick exposure in an endemic area who is suffering with
fever, transaminase elevations, new-onset thrombocytopenia, or leucopenia, an
Ehrlichiosis diagnosis should be considered. For those who could be categorized as
immunocompromised, the clinical manifestations are far more severe and can include
neurologic deterioration, multiorgan failure, and even a TTP-like illness. Moreover, the
doxycycline therapy response could be delayed. The use of PCR for confirmatory
diagnosis and early empiric therapy can be life-saving.
Emerging Infectious Diseases. 2002;8(3) © 2002 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
The Immune System is vital
A host’s best defense against rickettsial infection is its cellular immunity. Inf fact,
Ehrlichia clearance from peripheral blood in patients with HGE comes from elevated
levels of interferon gamma.

4. In a recent mouse model of Ehrliciosis, results showed that immunocompromised mice
suffered with persistent infection. Most of them eventually did succumb to the disease. It
should be pointed out that cellular immunity, whether begotten of immunosuppressive
therapies or underlying disease, can compromise recovery and result in more severe
disease and oftentimes death.
Emerging Infectious Diseases. 2002;8(3) © 2002 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Welcome to Envita Medical Centers
Ehrlichia is a regular participant in the Lyme disease Complex of infections. Patients
must be made aware of all infections, toxins, and heavy metals involved in their
disease. Moreover, in chronic Ehrlichia cases, patient treatments must incorporate
much higher doses of antibiotics than typically prescribed; something that Envita takes
great care to administer. We invite those interested in state-of-the-art treatment to
contact Envita Medical Centers - a world leader in Lyme disease treatment.