Diagnosis of Rickettsioses from Eschar Swab Samples, Algeria

Mouffok, Nadjet; Socolovschi, Cristina; Renvoisé, Aurélie; Parola, Philippe; Raoult, Didier

doi:10.3201/eid1710.110332

Cited by 45 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…Detection of rickettsial DNA has been increasingly reported using eschar tissues or swabs of eschars, although the diagnostic sensitivity of these types of specimens in comparison with traditional blood samples has not been ascertained (Lakos 2002; Wang et al, 2009; Bechah et al, 2011; Mouffok et al, 2011; Myers et al, 2013). Yet, R. rickettsii infections are not usually associated with inoculation eschars, which are rarely observed even in human RMSF patients (Walker et al, 1981; Chen and Sexton 2008), where they would be easier to find than in fur covered animals.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparative value of blood and skin samples for diagnosis of spotted fever group rickettsial infection in model animals

Levin

Snellgrove

Zemtsova

2016

Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases

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The definitive diagnosis of spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsioses in humans is challenging due to the retrospective nature and cross reactivity of the serological methods and the absence of reliable and consistent samples for molecular diagnostics. Existing data indicate the transient character of bacteremia in experimentally infected animals. The ability of arthropod vectors to acquire rickettsial infection from the laboratory animals in the absence of systemic infection and known tropism of rickettsial agents to endothelial cells of peripheral blood vessels underline the importance of local infection and consequently the diagnostic potential of skin samples. In order to evaluate the diagnostic sensitivity of rickettsial DNA detection in blood and skin samples, we compared results of PCR testing in parallel samples collected from model laboratory animals infected with Rickettsia rickettsii, Rickettsia parkeri and Rickettsia slovaca-like agent at different time points after infection. Skin samples were collected from ears – away from the site of tick placement and without eschars. Overall, testing of skin samples resulted in a higher proportion of positive results than testing of blood samples. Presented data from model animals demonstrates that testing of skin samples from sites of rickettsial proliferation can provide definitive molecular diagnosis of up to 60–70% of tick-borne SFG rickettsial infections during the acute stage of illness. Detection of pathogen DNA in cutaneous samples is a valuable alternative to blood-PCR at least in model animals.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparative value of blood and skin samples for diagnosis of spotted fever group rickettsial infection in model animals

Levin

Snellgrove

Zemtsova

2016

Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases

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“…La biopsie cutanée de l'escarre ou un simple prélèvement avec écouvillon sont très utiles, car ils permettent l'isolement et l'identification précise de la rickettsie par culture ou la PCR [8,[16][17][18][19][20][21][22]. L'éruption peut être généralisée, mais faible en intensité comme rapportée avec R. heilongjiangensis [24] ou R. sibirica mongolotimonae [25].…”

Section: Diagnosticunclassified

Rickettsioses

Giudice¹

2014

Dermatologie Infectieuse

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“…This bacteria was proved to be transmitted mainly by rats flea Xenopsylla cheopis (Azad, 1990), but occasionally by other flea species or arthropod vectors, including cat fleas Ctenocephalides felis (Irons et al, 1944;Le Chuiton et al, 1935;Lepine and Lorando, 1935), mouse fleas Leptopsyllia segnis or rat lice Polyplax spinulosa (Mouffok et al, 2011;. The main reservoirs are rats (Rattus rattus, R. norvegicus,), but various rodents and other wild and domestic animals, such as house mice, cats, opossums (Didelphis virginiana) and skunks have also been seen to act occasionally as hosts.…”

Section: Inauguration Of Rickettsiologymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Optimal storage temperature for specimens was 4°C for 3 days. In a prospective study in Algeria on autochthonous rickettsioses and in a retrospective study on travellers from South Africa (Mouffok et al, 2011;Socolovschi et al, 2012d), eschar/crust swab from inoculation eschar showed the same sensibility and specificity as skin biopsy sample. In addition, this test can be used at bedsides or in outpatient clinics and could be useful for epidemiologic, clinical studies and is also preferred by patients.…”

Section: Detectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Update on Rickettsioses in Slovakia

Sekeyová¹,

Socolovschi²,

Špitalská³

et al. 2013

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Summary. -The reported incidence of vector-borne diseases including various cases of Rickettsioses in humans is increasing due to a combination of climatic and social factors, escalating the opportunities for contact between people and ticks, fleas or lice. Many of the emerging infectious diseases currently challenging human health in Europe are transmitted by ticks which normally feed on domestic or wild animals. Each Rickettsia spp. has one or several tick vectors, and their geographical distribution varies according to geographical conditions; e.g.; altitude or temperature, which is gradually changing due to a global warming. Evidence of Rickettsia spp. particularly of a newly discovered species is a strong indication that a great number of diseases may be caused by so far undetected or unrecognized organisms. Their diagnosis relies mostly on rare "spot like" cooperation of clinicians with scientists, the members of the working groups that are devoted to the scientific studies of the corresponding research areas. The clinical picture of the disease caused by rickettsiae varies significantly from flu like symptoms to severe fatal outcomes, reflecting the various factors, e.g. a variability of virulence of rickettsial species due to cell invasion, dissemination of rickettsiae, genomics, immune response of an infected organism, or a tricky impact of a treatment. Several major reviews on rickettsioses have been previously published, e.g. in 1997(Parola et al., 2005, and in 2011 (Botelho-Nevers and Raoult, 2011). In this work we intend to present a short historical overview and to describe new trends in research studies of rickettsiology. The main focus will be on rickettsioses affecting Europe΄s population.

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Diagnosis of Rickettsioses from Eschar Swab Samples, Algeria

Cited by 45 publications

References 6 publications

Comparative value of blood and skin samples for diagnosis of spotted fever group rickettsial infection in model animals

Comparative value of blood and skin samples for diagnosis of spotted fever group rickettsial infection in model animals

Rickettsioses

Update on Rickettsioses in Slovakia

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