Incidence of human granulocytic anaplasmosis in returning travellers with fever

Abstract

Background: Although tick-borne pathogens have been reported as an important cause of imported fever, the incidence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum, the causative agent of human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA), in travellers is unknown.

Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study to investigate the aetiologies of fever in returning travellers (November 2017-July 2019). Polymerase chain reaction for msp2 gene amplification and indirect immunofluorescence assay for A. phagocitophilum were performed in all returning travellers with undifferentiated non-malarial fever.

Results: Among 141 travellers included, 8 patients were diagnosed with probable or confirmed HGA. The overall incidence rate of HGA was 19.9 cases/1000 person-week of travel. The main destination of travel was Asia, accounting for 62.5% patients with HGA. Co-infections were found in 37.5% of patients with HGA.

Conclusions: Diagnosis of HGA and empirical treatment with doxycycline should be considered in travellers with fever.

Keywords: Anaplasma phagocytophilum; doxycycline; emerging infections; fever; ticks; travel; vector-borne diseases.