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Typhus and other rickettsioses: emerging infections in Germany

Gerhard Dobler1, Roman Wölfel

  • 1Institut für Mikrobiologie der Bundeswehr, München, Germany. gerharddobler@bundeswehr.org

Deutsches Arzteblatt International
|June 24, 2009
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Six Rickettsia species are found in Germany, with five identified as human pathogens. Imported rickettsioses are also significant, particularly in travel medicine.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Rickettsioses are bacterial diseases transmitted by arthropods, causing spotted fevers and typhus.
  • Rickettsiae are obligate intracellular bacteria.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review indigenous and imported rickettsioses in Germany.
  • To highlight the role of Rickettsia species in human health.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review.
  • Analysis of authors' findings.

Main Results:

  • Six indigenous Rickettsia species identified in Germany.
  • Five species (R. slovaca, R. helvetica, R. felis, R. monacensis, R. massiliae) are human pathogens.
  • Imported rickettsioses like African tick bite fever and Mediterranean spotted fever are relevant.

Conclusions:

  • Molecular techniques facilitate Rickettsia detection in Germany.
  • The medical significance of indigenous rickettsioses requires further study.
  • Imported rickettsioses are crucial in travel medicine.
Keywords:
head licemolecular biologyparasitosisrickettsiosistick bite

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