Rickettsia felis identified in two fatal cases of acute meningoencephalitis

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Arthur H P Mawuntu1, Edison Johar2, Riane Anggraeni1

  • 1Faculty of Medicine, Sam Ratulangi University, Manado, Indonesia.

Plos Neglected Tropical Diseases
|February 19, 2020
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Rickettsia felis, an emerging bacteria, was identified in fatal meningoencephalitis cases in Indonesia. This finding suggests a wider distribution and greater pathogenicity of R. felis than previously recognized in Southeast Asia.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Neurology
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Rickettsia felis is an emerging cause of human illness globally.
  • It typically causes mild fever but has been linked to non-fatal neurological disease.
  • Its presence and impact in Southeast Asia remain largely unknown.

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