Information for Public Health Officials

How to Contact the Rickettsial Zoonoses Branch at CDC

The general public and healthcare providers should first call 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636) for questions regarding anaplasmosis and other rickettsial diseases. If a consultation with a CDC scientist specializing in rickettsial diseases is advised, your call will be appropriately forwarded.

Surveillance Case Definition

  • Anaplasmosis is a nationally notifiable condition and cases should be reported to your state or local health department according to local laws.
  • Cases are identified using a standard case definition established by the Council for State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE).
  • The case definition for Ehrlichiosis and Anaplasmosis were last updated in 2008:

2008 case definition

In 2008, the ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis case definition was split into four categories:

  1. Ehrlichia chaffeensis infection
  2. E. ewingii infection
  3. Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection
  4. Undetermined ehrlichiosis/anaplasmosis

Case Report Form

How to Submit Specimens to CDC for Anaplasmosis Testing

Who May Submit Specimens to CDC

  • Serologic and PCR assays for the diagnosis of anaplasmosis are available through many commercial and state laboratories. Routine testing should primarily use these testing options.
  • Samples may be sent to CDC for confirmatory testing or with special permission from the Rickettsial Zoonoses Branch through state health department.

State Health Departments

  • Specimens may be submitted to CDC for testing of rickettsial diseases, including anaplasmosis.
  • For sample submission, please see instructions on the CDC Test Directory.

US Healthcare Providers

  • US healthcare providers should submit specimens through their health department for testing. Do not send specimens directly to CDC.
  • CDC policy requires that specimens be submitted through, or with the approval of, the provider’s state health department.
  • Please contact your state health department to assist you with specimen submission and reporting of an infected patient.
  • Final reports of test results are returned to the state public health laboratory who is responsible for providing these reports to the primary submitter.

For general questions about anaplasmosis or other rickettsial diseases, please call 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636); healthcare providers requiring an epidemiologic or clinical consultation will be forwarded appropriately to the epidemiologist on call. If you have questions about reporting a suspect case, please first consult your state health department.

Non-US Healthcare Providers

Non-US healthcare providers should consult CDC prior to submitting specimens for testing. For general questions about anaplasmosis or other rickettsial diseases, please call 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636) or (888-232-6348). For specimen requirements and submission instructions, please see CDC Test Directory.