1988. Development of a Laboratory Stewardship Algorithm for Anaplasma phagocytophilum Polymerase Chain Reaction Testing

Anaplasmosis often presents with fever and headache, and typical laboratory abnormalities include leukopenia and thrombocytopenia. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is the preferred diagnostic method. At our institution, Anaplasma PCR is overutilized, with a low positivity rate. To improve utilization, we performed a two-part study. Part 1 determined if complete blood count (CBC) values could exclude Anaplasma infection. A stewardship algorithm...