Can Anaplasmosis Cause Dangerous Heart Problems?
IRREGULAR HEARTBEAT?
WHEN ANAPLASMOSIS
AFFECTS THE HEART
Anaplasmosis heart problems can include myopericarditis, atrial fibrillation, and conduction abnormalities—even without co-infection with Lyme disease.
In their article, “Case report: human granulocytic anaplasmosis causes acute myopericarditis with atrial fibrillation,” Levy and colleagues describe the case of a 65-year-old man who presented to the emergency room with fever and malaise lasting one week.
An electrocardiogram revealed new atrial fibrillation and conduction abnormalities.
Patient History Raised Concern for Tick Exposure
The patient lived in a wooded suburb of Boston and reported frequent outdoor exposure through kayaking trips in the months before presentation.
These environmental exposures increased concern for tick-borne illness.
Testing Confirmed Isolated Anaplasmosis
“Anaplasma serologies were positive for IgM and negative for IgG, and subsequent PCR detected Anaplasma phagocytophilum DNA,” the authors wrote.
Cardiac MRI findings were consistent with myopericarditis.
According to the authors, the patient had “an isolated HGA infection, and cardiac workup showed evidence of myopericarditis as well as conduction system disease.”
Conduction and rhythm abnormalities are frequently associated with Lyme disease but had not previously been well described in isolated anaplasmosis.
Anaplasmosis Heart Problems Without Lyme Disease
“This case highlights that conduction and rhythm disturbance can be a feature of myocarditis in the setting of isolated HGA infection,” the authors explained.
They further noted that “in our patient HGA was the sole identifiable culprit.”
Cases of isolated anaplasmosis myocarditis or myopericarditis remain rare but clinically important.
This report suggests that Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection alone may trigger:
- Atrial fibrillation
- Conduction abnormalities
- Myopericarditis
- Electrical instability involving the heart
Why Recognition Matters
Cardiac involvement from tick-borne disease may evolve rapidly and can overlap with Lyme carditis or other infectious causes of myocarditis.
The authors emphasize that doxycycline treatment should continue until both Lyme disease and anaplasmosis are excluded in patients presenting with myopericarditis in endemic regions.
This is particularly important during late spring through early fall when tick exposure risk is highest.
Clinical Takeaway
Anaplasmosis heart problems may include atrial fibrillation, myocarditis, myopericarditis, and conduction system disease—even without Lyme co-infection.
Clinicians should consider anaplasmosis in patients presenting with unexplained cardiac inflammation or rhythm abnormalities following tick exposure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can anaplasmosis cause heart problems?
Yes. Reported cardiac complications include myopericarditis, atrial fibrillation, and conduction abnormalities.
Can anaplasmosis affect the heart without Lyme disease?
Yes. This case involved isolated anaplasmosis without evidence of Lyme disease.
What heart problems were seen in this patient?
The patient developed atrial fibrillation, conduction abnormalities, and imaging findings consistent with myopericarditis.
How are tick-borne cardiac infections treated?
Doxycycline is commonly used while clinicians evaluate for Lyme disease and anaplasmosis.
Related Articles:
Anaplasmosis and Lyme Disease: Cardiac Complications
Severe Anaplasmosis: Multi-Organ Complications
Babesia and anaplasmosis in a child with B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia
References:
- Levy AM, Martin LM, Krakower DS, Grandin EW. Case report: human granulocytic anaplasmosis causes acute myopericarditis with atrial fibrillation. Eur Heart J Case Rep. 2023;7(1):ytad026. doi:10.1093/ehjcr/ytad026.
Dr. Daniel Cameron, MD, MPH
Lyme disease clinician with over 30 years of experience and past president of ILADS.
Symptoms • Testing • Coinfections • Recovery • Pediatric • Prevention
We also have to keep in mind that people with Lyme disease often test negative. So, the patient might have been infected with both Lyme Borrelia and Anaplasma. The negative Lyme tests cannot rule that out with certainty.
Hmm, I have had high levels of troponin, but it is glossed over as just a heart attack. However, I still have those attacks. Meds are doing nothing, I am sensitive to most meds, making it hard to treat. But, they cannot even get a clear dx. Lyme, Bartonella, Anaplasmosis, MCAS, CMV, Hashimoto’s, and probably others if I could do a full IgeneX test. Something in one or more of those diseases has to be messing with my heart, not to mention the rest of my body. Failed double bypass. As I warned the doctors, my veins have collapsed since birth. Had to have many transfusions which they were only able to do in my feet, 55 years ago. They didn’t listen. Within a week I could tell bypass didn’t work right. Took a year for the docs to believe me. Now they say nothing can be done. I am told to have a DNR on my person, and asked, “How the &^% are you still alive?”, because of my BP readings. I need to be someone’s test dummy!
I have had patients with both Lyme and heart disease at the same time. I have had to manage both with their cardiologist
Way back in 06, I was diagnosed to test positive for Lyme. Ehrlichia 1 or 2. Now renamed Anaplasmosis. I skipped a beat for years until my heart rhythm dropped to 32BPM and I walked into the ER where they put me in a room and turned me around at 21BPM. * months later an Ablasion was done after the heart was strong enough. Now I understand we can turn that around with treatment without Ablassion. Thanks for sharing this article that touches home for me.
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Can this also be related to mycotoxins? Dr. Cameron, do you also treat mycotoxins in addition to lyme & babesia? Is Igenix FISH positive Babesia an accurate test for babesia that needs treatment? Other tests, PCR, blood smear, were negative. Igenix IGG positive for TBRF borreliosis..does that need treatment too? Probably too much for blog, please advise.
I was diagnosed around 2013 with “Anaplasms”. I was given Z-pack for 10 days when I said to the doctor I read Doxycycline was first line of defense. So, he gave me Doxy instead and I was on it for 3 months. By 2015 I ended up in the ER with heart issues (147 BPM). They diagnosed me with Atrial Flutter. They did cardioversion to get my heart back in normal rhythm. I had another attack and they did it again but said no Cardio Versions, we have to do cardiac ablation due to an electrical issue in your heart. Now I suffer from superventricular tachycardia, especially when I eat gluten, preservatives, dyes and some natural flavorings. I get dehydrated easily. Did the Z-pack cause this or did the Anaplasms? I need help if there is anyway to reverse these attacks. Thank you.