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Published on: October 11, 2022
Expansion of Tick-Borne Rickettsioses in the World
Mariusz Piotrowski1, Anna Rymaszewska1
1Institute of Biology, University of Szczecin, 70-453 Szczecin, Poland.
Abstract:
Tick-borne rickettsioses are caused by obligate intracellular bacteria belonging to the spotted fever group of the genus Rickettsia. These infections are among the oldest known diseases transmitted by vectors. In the last three decades there has been a rapid increase in the recognition of this disease complex. This unusual expansion of information was mainly caused by the development of molecular diagnostic techniques that have facilitated the identification of new and previously recognized rickettsiae. A lot of currently known bacteria of the genus Rickettsia have been considered nonpathogenic for years, and moreover, many new species have been identified with unknown pathogenicity. The genus Rickettsia is distributed all over the world. Many Rickettsia species are present on several continents. The geographical distribution of rickettsiae is related to their vectors. New cases of rickettsioses and new locations, where the presence of these bacteria is recognized, are still being identified. The variety and rapid evolution of the distribution and density of ticks and diseases which they transmit shows us the scale of the problem. This review article presents a comparison of the current understanding of the geographic distribution of pathogenic Rickettsia species to that of the beginning of the century.
Insights
Spotted fever group rickettsioses, ancient tick-borne diseases, are increasingly recognized due to molecular diagnostics identifying new pathogens. This review compares the current geographic distribution of pathogenic Rickettsia species to earlier data.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Rickettsioses are ancient tick-borne diseases caused by Rickettsia bacteria.
- Recent decades show increased recognition of rickettsioses, driven by molecular diagnostics.
- Many Rickettsia species, previously unknown or considered nonpathogenic, are now identified.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the current geographic distribution of pathogenic Rickettsia species with data from the beginning of the century.
- To highlight the expanding knowledge of Rickettsia distribution and pathogenicity.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and synthesis of existing data on Rickettsia distribution.
- Comparison of geographical data from the early 2000s to the present.
- Analysis of factors influencing Rickettsia spread, including vector distribution.
Main Results:
- Significant expansion in the recognized geographic distribution of pathogenic Rickettsia species.
- Identification of numerous new Rickettsia species with varying pathogenicity.
- Correlation between Rickettsia distribution and the geographical range and density of their tick vectors.
Conclusions:
- The understanding of Rickettsia distribution and pathogenicity has rapidly evolved.
- Tick-borne rickettsioses represent a growing global health concern due to expanding pathogen ranges.
- Continued surveillance and research are crucial for managing these evolving infectious diseases.
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