Removal · field guidance

PCR for Anaplasma phagocytophilum in whole blood

Whole-blood PCR is the preferred acute test for anaplasmosis, with sensitivity of 70-90% in the first week of illness before antibiotics.

Steps

schema.org/HowTo

01
Draw EDTA whole blood during the acute febrile phase, before doxycycline if possible.
02
Order PCR for Anaplasma phagocytophilum (commonly msp2/p44 or 16S targets).
03
Sensitivity is highest (70-90%) in the first 7 days of symptoms.
04
Sensitivity drops sharply after 24-48 hours of doxycycline.
05
Confirm with paired acute and convalescent IFA serology if PCR is negative but suspicion is high.

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