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[Tick-borne rickettsioses in the Americas: clinical and epidemiological advances, and diagnostic challenges]

Marylin Hidalgo1, Álvaro A Faccini-Martínez1, Gustavo Valbuena2

  • 1Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana.

Biomedica : Revista Del Instituto Nacional De Salud
|March 22, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Rickettsioses, caused by Rickettsia and Orientia bacteria, are emerging infectious diseases in the Americas. Early diagnosis is crucial due to non-specific symptoms, with various diagnostic methods available.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Zoonoses

Context:

  • Rickettsioses are zoonotic diseases caused by Rickettsiaceae family bacteria (Rickettsia and Orientia).
  • Environmental factors and vectors influence their global epidemiology.
  • Historically, only three rickettsioses were known in America; over 10 new species have emerged since 2000.

Purpose:

  • To highlight the emergence and re-emergence of rickettsioses in the Americas.
  • To emphasize the diagnostic challenges posed by non-specific clinical manifestations.
  • To underscore the importance of available diagnostic methods for identifying rickettsial agents.

Summary:

  • Rickettsioses are emerging and re-emerging zoonotic diseases caused by Rickettsia and Orientia bacteria.
  • Their non-specific symptoms often lead to misdiagnosis, complicating differential diagnosis of acute febrile syndromes.
  • Recent discoveries of new species in the Americas classify them as significant emerging infectious threats.

Impact:

  • Increased awareness of emerging rickettsioses in the Americas.
  • Improved understanding of the diagnostic challenges in febrile syndromes.
  • Facilitation of timely and accurate diagnosis through available direct and indirect methods.

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