Human granulocytic ehrlichiosis in Italy: first report on two confirmed cases

Abstract

We report here the two first cases of human ehrlichiosis described in Italy. One patient presented symptoms indicative of ehrlichiosis, such as fever, conjunctivitis, and increase of hepatic enzymes; HGE was confirmed by fourfold seroconversion for HGE antigen. The second patient, a forest worker, was affected by Lyme disease, and in this case HGE was suspected because of fever, leukopenia, and seroconversion.