Seroepidemiological Study of Outdoor Recreationists' Exposure to Spotted Fever Group Rickettsia in Western Australia

Abdad, Mohammad Yazid; Cook, Angus; Dyer, John; Stenos, John; Fenwick, Stanley G.

doi:10.4269/ajtmh.14-0102

Cited by 7 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…Rickettsial disease has historically been associated with higher rates in men and those of older age; however, recent studies on risk of rickettsial exposure demonstrated that there are no significant differences between gender or age groups (24,25). Other factors that have been found to influence rickettsial disease severity include underlying patient disease and enhanced oxidative stress (26).…”

Section: Virulence Pathogenesis and Clinical Presentationmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Concise Review of the Epidemiology and Diagnostics of Rickettsioses: Rickettsia and Orientia spp

et al. 2018

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Rickettsioses are globally distributed and caused by the family , which comprise a diverse and expanding list of organisms. These include two genera, and Serology has been traditionally the mainstay of diagnosis, although this has been limited by cross-reactions among closely related members and diminished sensitivity/utility in the acute phase of illness. Other techniques, such as nucleic acid amplification tests using blood specimens or tissue swabs/biopsy specimens, sequencing, and mass spectrometry, have emerged in recent years for both pathogen and vector identification. This paper provides a concise review of the rickettsioses and the traditional and newer technologies available for their diagnosis.

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Section: Virulence Pathogenesis and Clinical Presentationmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Concise Review of the Epidemiology and Diagnostics of Rickettsioses: Rickettsia and Orientia spp

et al. 2018

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“…In Australia, Flinders Island spotted fever is an Australian tick borne disease caused by R. honei (also known as strain TT-118). It was first discovered on Flinders Island, Tasmania, but has since been detected in clinical patients from other parts of Australia, including in South Australia [ 5 , 6 ]. There has also been a reported cases of Flinders Island spotted fever in Nepal [ 7 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rickettsia Detected in the Reptile Tick Bothriocroton hydrosauri from the Lizard Tiliqua rugosa in South Australia

et al. 2016

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Rickettsiosis is a potentially fatal tick borne disease. It is caused by the obligate intracellular bacteria Rickettsia, which is transferred to humans through salivary excretions of ticks during the biting process. Globally, the incidence of tick-borne diseases is increasing; as such, there is a need for a greater understanding of tick–host interactions to create more informed risk management strategies. Flinders Island spotted fever rickettsioses has been identified throughout Australia (Tasmania, South Australia, Queensland and Torres Strait Islands) with possible identifications in Thailand, Sri Lanka and Italy. Flinders Island spotted fever is thought to be spread through tick bites and the reptile tick Bothriocroton hydrosauri has been implicated as a vector in this transmission. This study used qPCR to assay Bothriocroton hydrosauri ticks collected from Tiliqua rugosa (sleepy lizard) hosts on mainland South Australia near where spotted fever cases have been identified. We report that, although we discovered Rickettsia in all tick samples, it was not Rickettsia honei. This study is the first to use PCR to positively identify Rickettsia from South Australian Bothriocroton hydrosauri ticks collected from Tiliqua rugosa (sleepy lizard) hosts. These findings suggest that B. hydrosauri may be a vector of multiple Rickettsia spp. Also as all 41 tested B. hydrosauri ticks were positive for Rickettsia this indicates an extremely high prevalence within the studied area in South Australia.

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“…Coastal Eastern Australia-Northern QLD south to Flinders Island, Tasmania, 1946-1989(Sexton et al, 1991 2006(Abdad et al, 2014 23% (n = 61) of recreational rogainers were seropositive for spotted fever group Rickettsia in 2.7% (n = 47) of controls (Perth residents, no occupational or recreational bias) were seropositive for spotted fever group rickettsiae. 26/920 (2.8%) seropositive for potted ever group Exposure: Outdoor recreational activities were significant risk factors Barrow Island & Perth area, Western Australia.…”

Section: Spotted Fever Group Rickettsioses In Oceaniamentioning

confidence: 98%

Distribution of rickettsioses in Oceania: Past patterns and implications for the future

et al. 2015

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Rickettsioses present a threat to human health worldwide, but relatively little is known on their epidemiology and ecology in Oceania. These bacteria are the cause of potentially fatal febrile illnesses in humans (categorized into scrub typhus, typhus group and spotted fever group rickettsioses). They are transmitted by arthropod vectors such as ticks, mites, fleas and lice, which are associated with vertebrate host animals including rodents and companion animals. We conducted a search in the scientific and grey literature of Rickettsia spp. and Orientia tsutsugamushi within the Oceania region. Human case reports, human serosurveys and PCR-based testing of vectors and host animals reviewed here highlight the widespread distribution of these pathogens in the region, with the majority of human serological and vector surveys reporting positive results. These findings suggest that rickettsioses may have a significantly higher burden of disease in Oceania than is currently appreciated due to diagnostic challenges. Furthermore, consideration of the ecology and risk factors for rickettsioses reported for Oceania suggests that their importance as a cause of undifferentiated acute febrile illness may grow in the future: environmental and social changes driven by predicted climate change and population growth have the potential to lead to the emergence of rickettsioses as a significant public health problem in Oceania.

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Seroepidemiological Study of Outdoor Recreationists' Exposure to Spotted Fever Group Rickettsia in Western Australia

Cited by 7 publications

References 32 publications

A Concise Review of the Epidemiology and Diagnostics of Rickettsioses: Rickettsia and Orientia spp

A Concise Review of the Epidemiology and Diagnostics of Rickettsioses: Rickettsia and Orientia spp

Rickettsia Detected in the Reptile Tick Bothriocroton hydrosauri from the Lizard Tiliqua rugosa in South Australia

Distribution of rickettsioses in Oceania: Past patterns and implications for the future

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