Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 8, 2026
08:20
Superior Auto-Identification of Trypanosome Parasites by Using a Hybrid Deep-Learning Model
Published on: October 27, 2023
Mediterranean spotted fever in southeastern Romania
Daniela Pitigoi1, Ioana D Olaru, Daniela Badescu
1National Institute of Infectious Diseases "Prof. Dr. Matei Bals", 021105 Bucharest, Romania ; Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020022 Bucharest, Romania.
Biomed Research International
|September 12, 2013
Summary
Mediterranean spotted fever (MSF) is endemic in southeastern Romania, often presenting with fever and rash. Awareness is crucial, especially for travelers, as tick exposure is not always apparent.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
- Tick-borne Illnesses
Background:
- Mediterranean spotted fever (MSF) cases are reported in southeastern Romania, but published data are scarce.
- This study aims to increase awareness of MSF in specific Romanian regions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To retrospectively analyze patients diagnosed with MSF.
- To highlight the prevalence and characteristics of MSF in Romania.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of 339 patients diagnosed with MSF between 2000 and 2011.
- Utilized Raoult diagnostic criteria and indirect immunofluorescence assay for serologic diagnosis.
- Analyzed patient demographics, symptoms, and diagnostic results.
Main Results:
- Over half of patients (50.4%) met the diagnostic criteria for MSF.
- Fever (99.4%) and rash (98.2%) were the most common symptoms; 57.9% reported a tick bite.
- Serology confirmed Rickettsia conorii infection in 83.7% of tested patients; no deaths were recorded.
Conclusions:
- MSF is endemic in southeastern Romania and should be considered in patients with fever and rash, even without known tick exposure.
- Travel-associated MSF should be suspected in individuals returning from this endemic area with characteristic symptoms.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Fungal Phylum Microsporidia
Microsporidia are a group of obligate intracellular fungi that were initially classified as protists but were later reclassified based on phylogenetic, molecular, and structural evidence linking them to the Chytridiomycota. These unicellular, non-motile organisms are highly specialized parasites that infect a wide range of animal hosts, including humans. They have evolved extensive genomic and metabolic reductions, making them highly dependent on their hosts for survival.Morphology and Genomic...
01:30Bacterial Phylum Spirochaetes
Spirochetes, unique bacteria in the phylum Spirochaetes, are gram-negative, motile, tightly coiled, slender, and flexible. They inhabit aquatic sediments and animals, with some causing diseases like syphilis. Spirochetes are classified into eight genera based on habitat, pathogenicity, phylogeny, and characteristics.Their distinctive motility arises from endoflagella, located within the cell’s periplasm. These endoflagella anchor at the cell poles and extend along the cell length, encased by a...
01:28Infectious Diseases and Their Occurrence
Infectious diseases appear in populations through various transmission patterns, influenced by pathogen characteristics, population immunity, environmental conditions, and social behavior. Understanding these patterns is essential for effective public health surveillance and intervention. These categories—sporadic, outbreak, epidemic, pandemic, and endemic—help frame the nature and scope of disease events.Sporadic diseases occur irregularly and infrequently, without a predictable temporal or...
01:25Arboviral Encephalitis
Arboviral encephalitis refers to brain inflammation caused by arthropod-borne viruses, particularly those transmitted through mosquito vectors. Among these, West Nile virus (WNV), a member of the Flaviviridae family, is a significant public health concern. WNV is an enveloped, positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus. Human infection typically begins when an infected mosquito introduces the virus into the dermis during feeding. The primary transmission cycle involves birds as amplifying hosts...
01:30Toxidromes: Clinical Features
Toxidromes are specific patterns of symptoms resulting from toxic substance exposure. They help in the identification and treatment of poisoning. The symptoms of each toxidrome group indicate poisoning by a certain class of chemicals or drugs.1. Sympathomimetic: Stimulates the sympathetic nervous system. Symptoms include agitation, increased heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), respiratory rate (RR), temperature, and pupil size. Drugs like cocaine and amphetamines, along with tremors and...
00:58Symbiosis
Symbiotic relationships are long-term, close interactions between individuals of different species that affect the distribution and abundance of those species. When a relationship is beneficial to both species, this is called mutualism. When the relationship is beneficial to one species but neither beneficial nor harmful to the other species, this is called commensalism. When one organism is harmed to benefit another, the relationship is known as parasitism. These types of relationships often...