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Am J Pathol 2020 02 16;190(2):306-322. Epub 2020 Jan 16.

Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas; Institute for Translational Sciences, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas; Sealy Center for Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas. Electronic address:

Mediterranean spotted fever is a reemerging acute tick-borne infection produced by the α-proteobacterium, Rickettsia conorii. Rickettsia conorii infects vascular endothelial cells producing disseminated plasma leakage, manifesting as nonspecific fever, headache, and maculopapular rash. Because there are no available tests of early infection, Mediterranean spotted fever is often undiagnosed and untreated, resulting in significant mortality. Read More

Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2020 Mar 3;11(2):101353. Epub 2019 Dec 3.

Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública CIBERESP), Spain; National Centre for Epidemiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Calle De Melchor Fernández Almagro, 5, 28029, Madrid, Spain.

Background: Mediterranean spotted fever (MSF) is a zoonotic disease caused by Rickettsia conorii and transmitted by Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato. The aim of this study is to understand the epidemiology and trends regarding the disease in Spain, based on notifications to the Spanish National Epidemiology Surveillance Network (RENAVE) and the National Hospital Discharge Database (CMBD) between 2005 and 2015.

Methods: We carried out a retrospective cross-sectional study of the cases and the outbreaks reported to the RENAVE and of those found in the CMBD between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2015. Read More

Dermatopathology (Basel) 2019 Apr-Jun;6(2):70-76. Epub 2019 Jun 26.

School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.

The rickettsiae are a diverse group of vector-borne zoonotic bacterial pathogens. The two common spotted fever diseases in existence in southern Africa are boutonneuse fever-like tick bite fever (TBF), caused by , and African TBF, caused by . This review addresses demographic, epidemiological, clinical, diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive aspects of TBF in the southern African context, including a discussion of the dermatopathological findings and potential diagnostic pitfalls. Read More

Klin Lab Diagn 2019 ;64(9):553-559

Office of the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing in the Altai Republic, 649002, Gorno-Altaisk, Russia.

The real epidemiological impact of Spotted Fever Group rickettsioses including Siberian tick-borne typhus (STT) in Russia is not sufficiently studied. One of the reasons is the actual absence of either certified domestic diagnostic kits or the evidence for using foreign test kits for laboratory verification of this group of tick-borne infections in medical practice. Objective of our study was to study the diagnostic accuracy of the ELISA test system based on Rickettsia conorii antigens for serological verification of STT. Read More

PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019 08 29;13(8):e0007469. Epub 2019 Aug 29.

Aix-Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, IHU Mediterranée-Infection, Marseille, France.

As a result of migrations and globalization, people may face a possible increase in the incidence of central nervous system rickettsial infections (CNS R). These diseases, caused by Rickettsia species and transmitted to humans by arthropod bites, are putatively lethal. However, the diagnosis of CNS R is challenging and often delayed due to their nonspecific clinical presentation and the strict intracellular nature of rickettsiae. Read More

Acta Parasitol 2019 Dec 6;64(4):769-778. Epub 2019 Dec 6.

Department of Infectious Animal Diseases and Bee Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia.

Purpose: The incidence of vector-borne zoonoses has been increasing in Europe as a result of global climate change, and rickettsioses are a significant etiologic entity among these infections. The objective of this study was to investigate the seroprevalences of Rickettsia conorii, Ehrlichia canis and Coxiella burnetii in dogs in Montenegro.

Methods: The seroepidemiological study covered 259 dogs, of which 155 were owned dogs suspected of infection with agents of rickettsial aetiology from the continental (Podgorica) or five coastal municipalities of Montenegro (Budva, Herceg Novi, Kotor, Ulcinj and Bar), and 104 dogs were from a public shelter in Podgorica. Read More

Klin Lab Diagn 2019 ;64(6):354-359

N.F. Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology, 123098, Moscow, Russia.

723 blood sera from 537 patients of Regional Infectious Clinical Hospital, Astrakhan were obtained during high activity period of Rhipicephalus ticks (May-September 2015) and retrospectively studied for IgG/IgM to antigen of spotted fever group (SFG) Rickettsia. IgG and/or IgM to Rickettsia conorii were detected in 145 sera from 130 patients, and antibodies to R. sibirica (group-specific) were detected in 143 sera from 145. Read More

Med Mal Infect 2019 Aug 13;49(5):318-334. Epub 2019 May 13.

Service des maladies infectieuses et réanimation médicale, hôpital Pontchaillou, CHU Pontchaillou, 35033 Rennes cedex, France. Electronic address:

Lyme borreliosis is transmitted en France by the tick Ixodes ricinus, endemic in metropolitan France. In the absence of vaccine licensed for use in humans, primary prevention mostly relies on mechanical protection (clothes covering most parts of the body) that may be completed by chemical protection (repulsives). Secondary prevention relies on early detection of ticks after exposure, and mechanical extraction. Read More

Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2019 10;9:97. Epub 2019 Apr 10.

Vector Borne Disease Laboratories, Department of Pathobiological Sciences, LSU School of Veterinary Medicine, Baton Rouge, LA, United States.

Despite their high degree of genomic similarity, different spotted fever group (SFG) are often associated with very different clinical presentations. For example, causes Mediterranean spotted fever, a life-threatening disease for humans, whereas is associated with limited or no pathogenicity to humans. However, the molecular basis responsible for the different pathogenicity attributes are still not understood. Read More

IDCases 2019 21;15:e00528. Epub 2019 Mar 21.

Department of Infectious Diseases, Fattouma Bourguiba Hospital, Monastir, Tunisia.

Mediterranean spotted fever is a generally benign disease but with the potential of serious manifestations. We report a case of Mediterranean spotted fever in a 56-year-old woman, with pet dog exposure, who presented with a septic shock pattern. Based on clinical symptoms, history, and laboratory results, the diagnosis of Mediterranean spotted fever was suspected and the outcome was favorable with doxycycline treatment. Read More

Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2019 Jul 11;38(7):1333-1337. Epub 2019 Apr 11.

Infectious Diseases Unit, Internal Medicine Service, Hospital de Terrassa (Consorci Sanitari de Terrassa), Ctra. Torrebonica s/n, 08227, Terrassa, Spain.

The objective of this study is to evaluate the characteristics and outcome of elderly patients with Mediterranean spotted fever (MSF). This study was a prospective observational cohort study of all adult cases with confirmed MSF treated in a teaching hospital (1984-2015) to compare the characteristics of elderly patients (> 65 years) with younger adults. We identified 263 adult patients with MSF, and 53 (20. Read More

Zoonoses Public Health 2019 08 11;66(5):458-469. Epub 2019 Mar 11.

Division of Public Health Surveillance and Response, Division of the National Health Laboratory Service, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Endemic zoonoses, such as Q fever and spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiosis, are prevalent in South Africa, yet often undiagnosed. In this study, we reviewed the demographics and animal exposure history of patients presenting with acute febrile illness to community health clinics in Mpumalanga Province to identify trends and risk factors associated with exposure to Coxiella burnetii, the causative agent of Q fever, and infection by SFG Rickettsia spp. Clinical and serological data and questionnaires elucidating exposure to animals and their products were obtained from 141 acutely febrile patients between 2012 and 2016. Read More

Genes (Basel) 2019 03 8;10(3). Epub 2019 Mar 8.

Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA.

Mediterranean spotted fever develops from an infection with , an obligate intracellular, Gram-negative, endotheliotropic, and tick-transmitted bacterial pathogen, and is an acute, febrile illness that can progress to life-threatening complications if not diagnosed and treated early with effective antibiotics. Despite significant morbidity and mortality, little is known about changes in gene expression that determine the host responses during in vivo infection. We have investigated the transcriptional landscape of host lungs as a prominently affected organ system in an established murine model of infection by RNA-sequencing. Read More

Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2019 04 13;10(3):606-613. Epub 2019 Feb 13.

EA7310, Laboratoire de Virologie, Université de Corse-Inserm, Corte, France. Electronic address:

Although livestock farming (sheep, goats, pigs, and cattle) is an important economic activity in Corsica, a French Mediterranean island, knowledge about the tick fauna and microorganisms carried by them remains scarce. This study aimed to investigate the presence and perform molecular characterization of Anaplasmataceae, Rickettsia spp., and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (sl) in tick species collected in Corsica. Read More

J Fr Ophtalmol 2019 Feb 22;42(2):e47-e50. Epub 2019 Jan 22.

Service d'ophtalmologie, hôpital Militaire d'Instruction Mohamed V, 10010 Rabat, Maroc.

An Pediatr (Barc) 2020 Apr 17;92(4):247-248. Epub 2019 Jan 17.

Servicio de Dermatología, Consorcio Hospital General Universitario de Valencia, Valencia, España.

Przegl Epidemiol 2019 ;73(4):523-530

Medical University in Białystok, Department of Infectious Diseases and Neuroinfections

Tick-borne rickettsioses are emerging diseases in Europe. The Mediterranean region is endemic for rickettsioses, but the disease can also occur in other European countries. Ticks can be a vector of these bacteria. Read More

BMC Infect Dis 2018 Dec 29;18(1):705. Epub 2018 Dec 29.

Department of General Medicine, General Hospital (Teaching), Kandy, Sri Lanka.

Background: Spotted fever group of rickettsial infections are emerging in Sri Lanka. We describe a patient with rapidly progressing ARDS and myocarditis secondary to spotted fever caused by Rickettsia conorii. ARDS and myocarditis are rare complications of Rickettsia conorii infections and only a few cases are reported to date. Read More

Mikrobiyol Bul 2018 Oct;52(4):431-438

Ministry of Health, General Directorate of Public Health, Microbiology Reference Laboratory, Ankara, Turkey.

Rickettsia species are gram-negative intracellular, small pleomorphic coccobacilli in the Rickettsiaceae family. This genus is serologically and genotypically divided into four groups as spotted fever group, typhus group, Rickettsia belli and Rickettsia canadensis. Rickettsia conorii (R. Read More

J Dtsch Dermatol Ges 2018 Dec;16(12):1459-1476

While epidemic typhus caused by Rickettsia prowazekii posed a significant threat in Europe before and throughout World War II due to its high mortality, the condition fortunately no longer plays a significant role. Nevertheless, rickettsioses, such as African tick bite fever, have been increasingly diagnosed in travelers returning from sub-Saharan Africa. Caused by Rickettsia africae, African tick bite fever presents with characteristic cutaneous findings such as eschar (tache noir) and a rash. Read More

Med Princ Pract 2019 3;28(3):291-293. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

Department of Infectious Diseases, Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Plovdiv, and Clinic of Infectious Diseases, St. George University Hospital, Plovdiv, Bulgaria.

Objective: To report a rare case of maculopapular rash on the scalp in a patient with Mediterranean spotted fever (MSF).

Clinical Presentation And Intervention: A 58-year-old woman with breast cancer and chemotherapy-induced alopecia contracted MSF. Her clinical features were typical, except for a maculopapular rash covering the scalp. Read More

Indian J Ophthalmol 2018 Dec;66(12):1840-1844

Resident, Aravind Eye Hospital and Postgraduate Institute of Ophthalmology, Salem, Tamil Nadu, India.

Purpose: Among the major groups of rickettsiosis, the commonly reported diseases in India are: (a) Typhus group induced-scrub typhus, murine flea-borne typhus; (b) Spotted fever group induced-Indian tick typhus; and (c) Q fever. Though many scrub typhus outbreaks have been reported from India, only one outbreak of spotted fever-serologically proven Indian tick typhus (Rickettsia conorii)-has been reported. We report for the first time ocular manifestations of serologically proven R. Read More

Travel Med Infect Dis 2018 Nov - Dec;26:51-57. Epub 2018 Nov 9.

Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France. Electronic address:

Background: In Algeria, Mediterranean spotted fever (MSF), caused by Rickettsia conorii conorii and transmitted by Rhipicephalus sanguineus, is endemic. However, the documentation of cases is rare due to a lack of laboratory facilities. Our aim was to screen for rickettsioses in patients with fever, rash and a possible inoculation eschar. Read More

Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2019 01 3;10(1):43-50. Epub 2018 Sep 3.

Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.

The Mediterranean spotted fever (MSF) rickettsiosis is the predominant rickettsial disease among the spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae in the Mediterranean countries and North Africa. Its causative agent is Rickettsia conorii, although, SFG rickettsiosis - cases due to Rickettsia monacensis, Rickettsia massiliae and Rickettsia aeschlimannii were also described. A retrospective study based on hospital discharge records with a diagnosis of SFG rickettsiosis was carried out to describe the spatial pattern, the trend of the disease, and the epidemiological characteristics of persons hospitalized in the period 2001-2015. Read More

Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2018 11 24;62(11). Epub 2018 Oct 24.

Infectious Diseases Unit, Internal Medicine Service, Hospital de Terrassa (Consorci Sanitari de Terrassa), Terrassa, Spain.

The objective of this study is to evaluate the results of single-day doxycycline therapy for Mediterranean spotted fever (MSF). This is a prospective cohort study of cases with confirmed MSF treated with the single-day doxycycline regimen in a teaching hospital from 1990 to 2015. Patients received two oral doses of 200 mg of doxycycline for 1 day. Read More

Dtsch Med Wochenschr 2018 08 30;143(15):1116-1119. Epub 2018 Jul 30.

IV. Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik der LMU, München.

History: A healthy 41 year old man was bitten by a tick while on safari in the Kruger National Park in South Africa. He developed severe fever and malaise 5 days later. A characteristic red skin sore with a dark centre and surrounding erythema (eschar, tache noir) developed at the site of the tick bite. Read More

Ann Dermatol Venereol 2018 Aug - Sep;145(8-9):516-520. Epub 2018 Jul 10.

Département de dermatologie, CHU St-Éloi, 80, avenue Augustin-Fliche, 34090 Montpellier, France.

Introduction: Haemophagocytic syndrome (HS) is a rare disease with a severe prognosis that is defined by clinical, laboratory and histopathological criteria. Infections represent the classical cause of HS. HS secondary to Mediterranean spotted fever (MSF) is rare with only a few cases being reported in the literature. Read More

Acta Med Port 2018 Apr 30;31(4):196-200. Epub 2018 Apr 30.

Pediatric Department. Centro Hospitalar de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro. Vila Real, Portugal.

Introduction: Mediterranean spotted fever is an infectious disease included in the human rickettsiosis group, with its main distribution in the Mediterranean and South European countries. It is an endemic disease in Portugal, with dogs acting as the main domestic reservoir. Children are a particularly vulnerable group due to their close contact with household animals and by frequently playing outdoors. Read More

J Med Case Rep 2018 May 26;12(1):145. Epub 2018 May 26.

Department of Medicine, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.

Background: Purpura fulminans is an acute life-threatening disorder characterized by intravascular thrombosis and hemorrhagic infarction of the skin complicated with disseminated intravascular coagulation. It is commonly seen in acute infections following meningococcal and streptococcal infections. Few cases of purpura fulminans following rickettsial infections have been described in the literature. Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2018 May 18;2018. Epub 2018 May 18.

Ophthalmology Department, Centro Hospitalar Tondela-Viseu, Viseu, Portugal.

We review two cases of ocular manifestations of infection in children. A girl who presented unilateral visual loss with focal retinitis and macular oedema and a boy with unilateral central scotoma and bilateral anterior uveitis. Progressive functional and anatomic recovery was observed after oral antibiotics and steroids were initiated. Read More

J Fr Ophtalmol 2018 May;41(5):e231-e234

Service d'ophtalmologie, CHU Nord, chemin des Bourrely, 13015 Marseille, France.

Med Clin (Barc) 2019 02 3;152(3):119-120. Epub 2018 May 3.

Servicio de Hematología Clínica, Institut Català d'Oncologia-Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol, Badalona; Institut de Recerca contra la Leucèmia Josep Carreras, Badalona, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, España.

Arch Pediatr 2018 05 11;25(4):302. Epub 2018 Apr 11.

Unité d'infectiologie et dermatologie, centre hospitalier de Fréjus-Saint-Raphaël, 240, avenue Saint-Lambert, 83600 Fréjus, France. Electronic address:

Travel Med Infect Dis 2018 Nov - Dec;26:7-15. Epub 2018 Mar 2.

Center of Tropical Medicine and Travel Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Division of Internal Medicine, Academic Medical Center (AMC), University of Amsterdam (UvA), Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Electronic address:

Background: Rickettsial diseases present as acute febrile illnesses, sometimes with inoculation eschars.

Methods: We performed a systematic review of studies published between 1997 and 2017 to assess the underestimation of non-eschar rickettsial disease (NERD) relative to eschar rickettsial disease (ERD), as a cause of acute fever in patients with rickettsial diseases that commonly present with eschar(s): scrub typhus (ST), Mediterranean spotted fever (MSF), and African tick-bite fever. We compared ERD/NERD ratios according to study design: 'complete approach' studies, with testing performed in all patients with 'unspecified febrile illness'; versus 'clinical judgement' studies, with testing performed if patients presented with specific symptoms. Read More

Travel Med Infect Dis 2018 Nov - Dec;26:16-24. Epub 2018 Feb 17.

Department of Paediatrics, Mater Dei Hospital, Tal-Qroqq, Msida, MSD 2090, Malta.

Background: Mediterranean Spotted Fever (MSF) is a tick-borne zoonosis caused by Rickettsia conorii which is endemic in Malta, an island in the South Mediterranean that is a popular tourist destination. Diagnosis is frequently based on clinical manifestations as laboratory results are often limited to a retrospective diagnosis. We describe the clinical presentation, diagnosis and treatment of children <16 years who presented with MSF from 2011 to 2016. Read More

Med Princ Pract 2018 3;27(1):92-94. Epub 2018 Jan 3.

Objective: To describe a rare case of acute Q fever with tache noire.

Clinical Presentation And Intervention: A 51-year-old man experienced acute Q fever showing tache noire, generally considered a pathognomonic sign of Mediterranean spotted fever (MSF) and MSF-like illness, but not a clinical feature of Q fever. The patient was treated with doxycycline 100 mg every 12 h. Read More

Med Clin (Barc) 2018 08 22;151(3):130. Epub 2017 Nov 22.

Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, España.

Ann Dermatol Venereol 2018 Feb 21;145(2):95-99. Epub 2017 Nov 21.

Service des maladies infectieuses, université de Sfax, CHU Hédi Chaker, 3029 Sfax, Tunisie.

Background: Symmetric peripheral gangrene (SPG) is a symmetrical distal ischemic lesion on at least 2 or more extremities in the absence of proximal arterial obstruction and vasculitis. It is a rare and severe clinical entity. The aim of this study was to describe clinical symptoms, etiological agents and the management of SPG through a series of 4 cases. Read More

Parasitol Res 2017 Nov 7;116(11):3249-3251. Epub 2017 Oct 7.

Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Neuherbergstrasse 11, 80937, Munich, Germany.

Ticks are important vectors for Rickettsia spp. of the spotted fever group all around the world. Rickettsia conorii is the etiological agent of boutonneuse fever in the Mediterranean region and Africa. Read More

Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2017 10 23;17(10):698-708. Epub 2017 Aug 23.

6 Virology Unit, Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University , Ankara, Turkey .

Introduction: Birds are involved in the epidemiology of several vector-borne viruses, as amplification hosts for viruses, dissemination vehicles for the vectors, and sources of emerging strains in cross-species transmission. Turkey provides diverse habitats for a variety of wild birds and is located along major bird migration routes. This study was undertaken to provide a cross-sectional screening of avian specimens for a spectrum of vector-borne viruses. Read More

PLoS One 2017 14;12(8):e0183181. Epub 2017 Aug 14.

Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America.

Rickettsial infections continue to cause serious morbidity and mortality in severe human cases around the world. Host cell adhesion and invasion is an essential requisite for intracellular growth, replication, and subsequent dissemination of pathogenic rickettsiae. Heparan sulfate proteoglycans [HSPGs] facilitate the interactions between fibroblast growth factor(s) and their tyrosine kinase receptors resulting in receptor dimerization/activation and have been implicated in bacterial adhesion to target host cells. Read More

Front Microbiol 2017 20;8:1363. Epub 2017 Jul 20.

Unité de Recherche en Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales Emergentes, UM63, Centre National De La Recherche Scientifique 7278, IRD 198, Institut National De La Santé Et De La Recherche Médicale U1095, Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire Méditerranée-Infection, Aix-Marseille UniversitéMarseille, France.

Arthropod-borne species are obligate intracellular bacteria which are pathogenic for humans. Within this genus, and cause frequent and potentially severe infections, whereas and cause rare and milder infections. All four species belong to spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae. Read More

G Ital Dermatol Venereol 2019 Feb 11;154(1):94-95. Epub 2017 Jul 11.

DI.S.Sal, Section of Dermatology, San Martino University Hospital and Institute for Tumor Research and Care, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.

Pan Afr Med J 2017 20;26:80. Epub 2017 Feb 20.

Service de Neurlogie, Hopital Militaire Moulay Ismail, Meknès, Maroc.

Mediterranean spotted fever (MSF) is a rickettsiosis of the spotted fever group caused by rickettsia conorii. This zoonosis is benign but it can be complicated by severe neurological impairment (hence its severity). We report the case of a 49-year old patient hospitalized in the Department of Dermatology for rickettsiosis, who suffered from right massive hemiplegia of brutal onset. Read More

J Fr Ophtalmol 2017 May 4;40(5):444-446. Epub 2017 May 4.

Service d'ophtalmologie, CHU Habib Bourguiba, avenue El Ferdaous, 3029 Sfax, Tunisie.

Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2017 06 12;8(4):610-614. Epub 2017 Apr 12.

SaBio. Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos, IREC (CSIC, UCLM, JCCM), Ronda de Toledo s/n, 13005 Ciudad Real, Spain; Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA. Electronic address:

Rickettsiae (family Rickettsiaceae, order Rickettsiales) are obligate intracellular bacteria transmitted by arthropod vectors. Several Rickettsia species causing vector-borne rickettsioses belong to the spotted fever group (SFG). Traditionally, Rickettsia conorii has been considered as the main etiologic agent of Mediterranean spotted fever. Read More

Gastroenterol Hepatol 2018 03 17;41(3):165-166. Epub 2017 Apr 17.

Aparato Digestivo, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro-Majadahonda, Majadahonda, Madrid, España.

Int J Infect Dis 2017 Aug 10;61:7-12. Epub 2017 Apr 10.

Dipartimento di Scienze per la Promozione Della Salute e Materno-Infantile, Università di Palermo, Italy. Electronic address:

Mediterranean spotted fever (MSF) is endemic in Italy, where Rickettsia conorii subsp. conorii was thought to be the only pathogenic rickettsia and Rhipicephalus sanguineus the vector and main reservoir. R. Read More

J Infect Dev Ctries 2017 Mar 31;11(3):242-246. Epub 2017 Mar 31.

Faculty of Medicine, Mutah University, Karak, Jordan.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiological patterns of Mediterranean spotted fever (MSF) as well as its treatment and outcomes in children in south Jordan.

Methodology: A retrospective observational study was conducted from June 2013 to December 2015. Data regarding demographics, clinical presentation, laboratory findings, treatment, and outcomes were collected. Read More

PLoS One 2017 29;12(3):e0174745. Epub 2017 Mar 29.

National Centre for Tropical Medicine, Health Institute Carlos III (ISCIII in Spanish), Madrid, Spain.

Introduction: Mediterranean spotted fever (MSF) is a zoonotic disease caused by Rickettsia conorii. In Spain, deficiencies in the official reporting result in misreporting of this disease. This study aims to describe the clinical and temporal-spatial characteristics of MSF hospitalizations between 1997 and 2014. Read More