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Published on: January 14, 2018
Diplorickettsia massiliensis as a human pathogen
G Subramanian1, O Mediannikov, E Angelakis
1Unité des Rickettsies, Faculté de Médecine, Université de la Méditerranée, URMITE, UMR CNRS 6236-IRD198, 27 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13385, Marseille Cedex 05, France.
Summary
A novel bacterium, Diplorickettsia massiliensis, was found in French patients with suspected tick-borne illnesses. Serological and molecular evidence confirmed infection in three individuals, highlighting a new tick-borne pathogen concern.
Area of Science:
- * Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
- * Medical Entomology
- * Epidemiology
Background:
- * Emerging infectious diseases transmitted by ticks pose a significant public health challenge.
- * Ixodes ricinus ticks are known vectors for various pathogens.
- * Diplorickettsia massiliensis (D. massiliensis) is a recently identified bacterium.
Observation:
- * A large-scale screening of 13,872 serum samples from French patients with suspected tick-borne diseases was conducted.
- * The study focused on identifying evidence of D. massiliensis infection.
- * The presence of D. massiliensis in a human population was investigated.
Findings:
- * Serological evidence of D. massiliensis infection was detected in three patients.
- * Molecular evidence confirmed the infection in one of the three seropositive cases.
- * This study provides the first human case reports of D. massiliensis infection.
Implications:
- * The findings suggest that D. massiliensis may be an underdiagnosed cause of human illness.
- * Further research is needed to understand the pathogenicity and clinical spectrum of D. massiliensis infections.
- * This discovery necessitates enhanced surveillance for D. massiliensis in both tick populations and human patients.
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