Rickettsiosis in Europe

Blanco, José Ramón; Oteo, José A.

doi:10.1196/annals.1374.003

Cited by 39 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 58 publications

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“…I n recent years, Europe has experienced an increase in the incidence of certain zoonoses, particularly those transmitted by arthropod vectors, such as rickettsiosis (Blanco and Oteo 2006). The number of methods available for detecting and identifying rickettsia has increased and allowed the detection of new rickettsial pathogens as well as already-known types in new locations.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Molecular and Serological Study of Rickettsial Infection in Humans, and in Wild and Farm Animals, in the Province of Burgos, Spain

Lledó

Domínguez-Peñafiel²,

Giménez-Pardo³

et al. 2014

Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases

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Limited information is available on the presence of rickettsial infection in humans and animal reservoirs in Spain. Exposure to spotted fever group rickettsia in healthy humans and in farm and wild animals in the Province of Burgos, Spain, was examined by serological methods. Rickettsial DNA was also sought by PCR in animal samples. Of 102 human serum samples examined by indirect immunofluorescence assays (IFA), 5.88% were positive for antibodies against Rickettsia conorii (titers 1/128-1/512). Significant differences were detected in human seroprevalence with respect to age. In further IFAs, 102 out of 375 (27.2%) serum samples from the wild animals reacted with R. conorii antigens (titers 1/64-1/1024); 32 out of 281 (11.38%) samples from farm animals were also positive for R. conorii (titers 1/64-1/2048). The prevalence detected among total wild animals was significantly higher than among total farm animals. No rickettsial DNA was found by PCR in any farm or wild animal sample.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Molecular and Serological Study of Rickettsial Infection in Humans, and in Wild and Farm Animals, in the Province of Burgos, Spain

Lledó

Domínguez-Peñafiel²,

Giménez-Pardo³

et al. 2014

Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases

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“…Therefore, these host species may potentially be exposed to R. helvetica. R. helvetica is a suspected pathogen in humans, and the symptoms described for infections in humans include fever, headache, arthralgia, and myalgia (1,3,7,21,34). The agent also has been implicated in two cases of fatal perimyocarditis (20,22).…”

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confidence: 99%

Molecular Investigations of Rickettsia helvetica Infection in Dogs, Foxes, Humans, and Ixodes Ticks

Boretti

Perreten

Meli

et al. 2009

Appl Environ Microbiol

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Rickettsia helvetica, a tick-borne member of the spotted-fever-group rickettsiae, is a suspected pathogen in humans; however, its role in animals is unknown. The aims of this study were to establish a R. helvetica-specific real-time TaqMan PCR assay and apply it to the analysis of tick vectors (to determine potential exposure risk) and blood samples from Canidae and humans (to determine prevalence of infection). The newly designed 23S rRNA gene assay for R. helvetica was more sensitive than a published citrate synthase gene (gltA) assay for several rickettsiae. Blood samples from 884 dogs, 58 foxes, and 214 human patients and 2,073 ticks (Ixodes spp.) collected from either vegetation or animals were analyzed. Although the maximal likelihood estimate of prevalence was 12% in unfed ticks and 36% in ticks collected from animals, none of the 1,156 blood samples tested PCR positive. Ticks from cats were more frequently PCR positive than ticks from dogs. Sequencing of the 23S rRNA and/or the gltA gene of 17 tick pools confirmed the presence of R. helvetica. Additionally, Rickettsia monacensis, which has not been previously found in Switzerland, was identified. In conclusion, R. helvetica was frequently detected in the tick population but not in blood samples. Nevertheless, due to the broad host range of Ixodes ticks and the high rate of infestation with this agent (i.e., R. helvetica was 13 times more frequent in unfed ticks than the tick-borne encephalitis virus), many mammals may be exposed to R. helvetica. The PCR assay described here represents an important tool for studying this topic.Tick-borne rickettsioses are caused by intracellular bacteria belonging to the spotted fever group (SFG) of the genus Rickettsia. The latter comprises more than 20 different species, of which an increasing number are known to be associated with human and animal diseases. The SFG rickettsiae are distributed worldwide, and their distribution depends upon the occurrence of tick species. The most common tick in Europe is Ixodes ricinus, which was found to harbor Rickettsia helvetica. R. helvetica is transmitted not only transstadially but also transovarially in I. ricinus. Therefore, this tick is both a vector and a reservoir for R. helvetica. Due to the broad host range of I. ricinus, many mammalian species, including humans, can serve as hosts. Therefore, these host species may potentially be exposed to R. helvetica. R. helvetica is a suspected pathogen in humans, and the symptoms described for infections in humans include fever, headache, arthralgia, and myalgia (1, 3, 7, 21, 34). The agent also has been implicated in two cases of fatal perimyocarditis (20,22).Interestingly, despite the wide distribution of I. ricinus ticks and the high rate of infection of these ticks with R. helvetica that has been reported in several European countries (2,9,18,19,25,29,35,42), larger studies discussing the prevalence of the infection in humans and animals are scarce. No studies evaluating the importance of R. helvetica in pets or farm animals are ...

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“…uals have a local black eschar at the site of tick inoculation [19] (figure 6). A study conducted in Crete reported sheep and goats as Reactions to bed bug bites vary among individuals.…”

Section: Clinical Featuresmentioning

confidence: 99%

Recognition and Management of Common Ectoparasitic Diseases in Travelers

Davis

Johnston

Sladden

2009

American Journal of Clinical Dermatology

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This review article summarizes the ectoparasitic diseases likely to be seen by a Western dermatologist. The article aims to cover both endemic diseases and those likely to present in the returning traveler. Tungiasis is due to the gravid sand flea (Tunga penetrans) embedding into the stratum corneum of a human host. As the flea is a ground dweller, lesions are usually present on the feet and are classically periungual. The sand flea is eventually shed spontaneously but to reduce the infection risk, early surgical removal is recommended. Infestation by the Diptera species of fly causes myiasis, which may be primary, secondary, or accidental. The botfly (Dermatobia hominis) is one of the causes of primary myiasis covered in this article. Traditionally, botfly larvae are forced to partially emerge by occluding the breathing apparatus, following which manual extraction can occur. Alternatively, the larvae can be surgically removed. The common bed bug (Cimex lectularius) has experienced a resurgence over the past 10 years. Bites are typically arranged in clusters or a linear fashion and vary from urticated wheals to hemorrhagic blisters. Treatment is symptomatic with antihistamines and topical corticosteroids. In addition, bed bugs need to be eradicated from furniture and soft furnishings. Ticks are part of the Arachnid class of joint-legged animals and can transmit a variety of infections. This article briefly discusses Mediterranean spotted fever, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and Lyme disease as well as describing tick avoidance measures. Scabies (Sarcoptes scabiei var hominis) is highly contagious and widely distributed around the world. It is common in the returning traveler and can require a high index of suspicion to diagnose. The treatment of choice in the US, UK, and Australia is permethrin 5% dermal cream, applied on two occasions, 1 week apart.

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Rickettsiosis in Europe

Cited by 39 publications

References 58 publications

Molecular and Serological Study of Rickettsial Infection in Humans, and in Wild and Farm Animals, in the Province of Burgos, Spain

Molecular and Serological Study of Rickettsial Infection in Humans, and in Wild and Farm Animals, in the Province of Burgos, Spain

Molecular Investigations of Rickettsia helvetica Infection in Dogs, Foxes, Humans, and Ixodes Ticks

Recognition and Management of Common Ectoparasitic Diseases in Travelers

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