Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Other Spotted Fever Group Rickettsioses

Kevin R. Macaluso; Abdu F. Azad

doi:10.1128/9781555816490.ch17

Chapter 17 : Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Other Spotted Fever Group Rickettsioses

Authors: Kevin R. Macaluso¹, Abdu F. Azad²

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Affiliations: 1: Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803; 2: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201

Content Type: Monograph

Publication Year: 2005

Category: Clinical Microbiology

Book DOI: 10.1128/9781555816490

Chapter DOI: 10.1128/9781555816490.ch17

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Abstract:

Rickettsioses, caused by members of the typhus group and spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae, are significant, underrecognized diseases found worldwide. Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) was first described in the 1890s, and researchers have worked to characterize its manifestations, develop effective therapeutics, examine the biological aspects of the agent, and in particular to understand its survival and multiplication within its arthropod host. As this chapter deals primarily with human health and tick-borne SFG rickettsiae described in North, Central, and South America, the majority of the content is in reference to Rickettsia rickettsii. Furthermore, because a number of excellent reviews have been published regarding the biology of Rickettsia, the various aspects of RMSF, including issues of ecology and clinical characteristics, the chapter aims to expand on that base of knowledge and update the reader on the current trends of research on tick-borne rickettsioses.

Citation: Macaluso K, Azad A. 2005. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Other Spotted Fever Group Rickettsioses, p 292-301. In Goodman J, Dennis D, Sonenshine D, Tick-Borne Diseases of Humans. ASM Press, Washington, DC. doi: 10.1128/9781555816490.ch17

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Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Other Spotted Fever Group Rickettsioses

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Figure 1

Transmission electron micrograph of R. peacockii strain DaE100R (R) within the cytoplasm of DAE100 (D. andersoni embryonic cell line) host cell. The arrow identifies the translucent zone that has been termed the slime layer. Bar, 0.2 µm. Image courtesy of A. T. Palmer and T. J. Kurtti.

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Figure 1

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Figure 2

RMSF cases reported to the CDC from 1942 to 1996. (Image from http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/rmsf/Epidemiology. htm.)

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Figure 2

RMSF cases reported to the CDC from 1942 to 1996. (Image from http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/rmsf/Epidemiology. htm.)

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Figure 3

Regional distribution of reported RMSF as determined by cases reported to the CDC by individual states from 1994 to 1998. (Image redrawn from http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/rmsf/Epidemiology.htm.)

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Figure 3

Regional distribution of reported RMSF as determined by cases reported to the CDC by individual states from 1994 to 1998. (Image redrawn from http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/rmsf/Epidemiology.htm.)

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Figure 4

Seasonal distribution of RMSF cases reported to the CDC during each month for the years 1993 to 1996. (Image redrawn from http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/rmsf/Epidemiology. htm.)

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Figure 4

Seasonal distribution of RMSF cases reported to the CDC during each month for the years 1993 to 1996. (Image redrawn from http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/rmsf/Epidemiology. htm.)

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Tables

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Other Spotted Fever Group Rickettsioses

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Table 1

Spotted fever group Rickettsia species, arthropod vector, and distribution described in the United States

Table 1

Spotted fever group Rickettsia species, arthropod vector, and distribution described in the United States