scholarly journals Laboratory Diagnostics of Rickettsia Infections in Denmark 2008–2015

Biology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 133
Author(s):  
Susanne Schjørring ◽  
Martin Tugwell Jepsen ◽  
Camilla Adler Sørensen ◽  
Palle Valentiner-Branth ◽  
Bjørn Kantsø ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Data ◽  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Laboratory Diagnostics ◽  
Spotted Fever Group ◽  
Tick Bites ◽  
Laboratory Findings ◽  
Annual Prevalence ◽  
History Of ◽  
Vector Borne

Rickettsiosis is a vector-borne disease caused by bacterial species in the genus Rickettsia. Ticks in Scandinavia are reported to be infected with Rickettsia, yet only a few Scandinavian human cases are described, and rickettsiosis is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of rickettsiosis in Denmark based on laboratory findings. We found that in the Danish individuals who tested positive for Rickettsia by serology, the majority (86%; 484/561) of the infections belonged to the spotted fever group. In contrast, we could confirm 13 of 41 (32%) PCR-positive individuals by sequencing and identified all of these as R. africae, indicating infections after travel exposure. These 13 samples were collected from wound/skin material. In Denmark, approximately 85 individuals test positive for Rickettsia spp. annually, giving an estimated 26% (561/2147) annual prevalence among those suspected of rickettsiosis after tick bites. However, without clinical data and a history of travel exposure, a true estimation of rickettsiosis acquired endemically by tick bites cannot be made. Therefore, we recommend that both clinical data and specific travel exposure be included in a surveillance system of Rickettsia infections.

scholarly journals Low Risk Perception about Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases in an Area Recently Invaded By Ticks in Northwestern Italy

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (7) ◽  
pp. 131
Author(s):  
Aitor Garcia-Vozmediano ◽  
Giorgia Giglio ◽  
Elisa Ramassa ◽  
Fabrizio Nobili ◽  
Luca Rossi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Perception ◽  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Pathogen Transmission ◽  
The Body ◽  
Spotted Fever Group ◽  
Italian Alps ◽  
Tick Bites ◽  
Protection Measures ◽  
The Public ◽  
Borrelia Burgdorferi S.L

Risk perception, together with the adoption of measures to prevent tick bites, may strongly influence human exposure to ticks and transmitted pathogens. We created a questionnaire to evaluate how people perceive the health risk posed by ticks in an area recently invaded by these arthropods, in the western Italian Alps. Moreover, through a collaborative effort with park rangers and physicians, we investigated which tick species bite humans and their infection with pathogens (Borrelia burgdorferi s.l., Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and spotted-fever group Rickettsiae). Apart from two Dermacentor marginatus bites, we identified Ixodes ricinus (n = 124) as the main species responsible for tick bites. The investigated pathogens infected 25.4% of tested I. ricinus. The evaluation of the engorgement rate of biting I. ricinus revealed that they had been likely feeding on humans for 24 hours or more, suggesting a high probability of pathogen transmission. Indeed, the questionnaires revealed that people infrequently adopt preventive measures, such as inspecting the body for ticks, although most respondents claimed that ticks are a threat to human health. Having suffered from previous tick bites was positively associated with the adoption of personal protection measures. Given the increasing incidence of tick-borne diseases in the region, the public should be better informed about the possibility of being bitten by infected ticks in order to mitigate the risk.

scholarly journals Tick-borne lymphadenopathy acquired in Serbia: Report of two cases

2018 ◽  
Vol 75 (11) ◽  
pp. 1134-1137
Author(s):  
Zorica Gajinov ◽  
Tatjana Ros ◽  
Milana Ivkov-Simic ◽  
Branislava Gajic ◽  
Sonja Prcic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Disease Status ◽  
Complete Healing ◽  
Spotted Fever Group ◽  
Infectious Agents ◽  
Tick Bites ◽  
Lymph Node Enlargement ◽  
Scalp Necrosis ◽  
Rickettsia Slovaca ◽  
Font Color

Introduction. Acronym tick-borne lymphoadenoathy (TIBOLA (Dermacentor-borne necrosis erythema and lymphoadenopathy ? DEBONEL, scalp eschar associated with neck lymphoadenopathy ? SENLAT) comprises clinical diagnosis of tick-borne symptoms of cervical or occipital lymphadenopathy with inoculation eschar at the site of tick bite on scalp. Since the first description, it was proved to be associated with several infectious agents, most frequently Rickettsia slovaca, or less often other spotted fever group Rickettsiae (Rickettsia raoulti and Rickettsia rioja), and gained an emerging infectious disease status in Europe. Dermacentor ticks serve as vectors and possible natural reservoir. The course is in most cases benign and infection is limited. Doxicycline is the recommended initial treatment, both for adult and most cases in children. Case report. Two subjects who acquired the desease caused by tick bites in Vojvodina region of Serbia are presented. Both patients are females. A tick was removed from the scalp, and several days later doxicycline treatment started because of the inflammatory symptoms of lymph node enlargement. Diagnostic eschar appeared in both patients during doxicycline treatment. After a switch to ciprofloxacine, inflammatory symptoms subsided, but the complete healing of scalp necrosis took longer than one month, with residual cicatricial alopecia. Conclusion. Although rare, it is necessary to include TIBOLA in a spectrum of epidemiologic risks in cases of tick bites. <br><br><font color="red"><b> This article has been corrected. Link to the correction <u><a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.2298/VSP2007765E">10.2298/VSP2007765E</a><u></b></font>

scholarly journals Algorithms of Rickettsiae’s Detection and Laboratory Diagnosis of Rickettsioses of Spotted Fever Group in Russia

2015 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 6-9
Author(s):  
N. V. Rudakov ◽  
I. E. Samoylenko ◽  
L. V. Kumpan
Keyword(s):  
Restriction Analysis ◽  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Laboratory Diagnosis ◽  
Laboratory Diagnostics ◽  
Spotted Fever Group ◽  
Detection And Identification ◽  
Manufactured Products ◽  
Pcr Products ◽  
Biological Methods ◽  
Sfg Rickettsia

An analysis of modern trends of Rickettsiae’s detection and laboratory diagnostics for spotted fever group rickettsioses is present. Due to the sharp decline in the range of manufactured products and increase the spectrum of rickettsial species identified in Russia, new approaches required to laboratory verification of diagnoses. IFA and ELISA with antigens of relevant species of Rickettsia can be recommended to detect antibodies to the SFG rickettsiae. PCR-restriction analysis and sequencing of PCR products most appropriate for the detection and identification of SFG Rickettsia, biological methods are necessary for studying of pathogenic species of Rickettsia.

scholarly journals Serological Evidence of Rickettsia Exposure among Patients with Unknown Fever Origin in Angola, 2016-2017

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
P. F. Barradas ◽  
Z. Neto ◽  
T. L. Mateus ◽  
A. C. Teodoro ◽  
L. Duarte ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fever Of Unknown Origin ◽  
Spotted Fever ◽  
National Laboratory ◽  
Unknown Origin ◽  
Immunofluorescence Assay ◽  
Spotted Fever Group ◽  
Igg Antibodies ◽  
Serological Evidence ◽  
Vector Borne ◽  
And Control

Spotted fever group Rickettsia (SFGR) is one among the aetiologies that cause fever of unknown origin in Angola. Despite their occurrence, there is little information about its magnitude in this country either because it is misdiagnosed or due to the lack of diagnostic resources. For this purpose, eighty-seven selected malaria- and yellow fever-negative serum specimens collected between February 2016 and March 2017 as part of the National Laboratory of Febrile Syndromes, from patients with fever (≥37.5°C) for at least 4 days and of unknown origin, were screened for Rickettsia antibodies through an immunofluorescence assay (IFA). Serological results were interpreted according to the 2017 guidelines for the detection of Rickettsia spp. Three seroreactive patients had detectable IgM antibodies to Rickettsia with an endpoint titre of 32 and IgG antibodies with endpoint titres of 128 and 256. These findings supported a diagnosis of Rickettsia exposure amongst these patients and highlight that rickettsioses may be among the cause of unknown febrile syndromes in Angola. Therefore, physicians must be aware of this reality and must include this vector-borne disease as part of aetiologies that should be considered and systematically tested in order to delineate appropriate strategies of diagnostic and control of Rickettsia in Angola.

scholarly journals Detection of rickettsiae in fleas and ticks from areas of Costa Rica with history of spotted fever group rickettsioses

2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
pp. 1128-1134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adriana Troyo ◽  
Rolando D. Moreira-Soto ◽  
Ólger Calderon-Arguedas ◽  
Carlos Mata-Somarribas ◽  
Jusara Ortiz-Tello ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Costa Rica ◽  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Spotted Fever Group ◽  
History Of

scholarly journals Mononucleosis-like illnesses due to co-infection with severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus and spotted fever group rickettsia:a case report

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bin Zhao ◽  
Haohua Hou ◽  
Ran Gao ◽  
Bing Tian ◽  
Baocheng Deng
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Presentation ◽  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Spotted Fever Group ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Blood Cell Count ◽  
Case Presentation ◽  
Igm Antibody ◽  
History Of ◽  
Spotted Fever Group Rickettsia ◽  
Severe Fever

Abstract Background We report a mononucleosis-like illnesses case due to co-infection with severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) and spotted fever group rickettsia (SFGR), which to the best of our knowledge, has never been reported . Case presentation A 64-year-old male with an 11-day history of fever, sore throat, malaise, nausea, and non-pruritic rash was admitted to our emergency department. Prior to admission, he was bitten by ticks. Laboratory tests revealed a white blood cell count of 24,460 cells/μL with 25% atypical lymphocytes and 20% mononucleosis, thrombocytopenia. Test results were positive for SFTSV RNA, SFTSV-specific IgM antibody, and SFGR-specific IgM antibody. He was diagnosed with mononucleosis-like illnesses due to co-infection with SFTSV and SFGR. After administration of doxycycline, he recovered completely. Conclusions The clinical presentation may be atypical in co-infection with SFTSV and SFGR. This finding highlighted the importance of considering SFGR infection, as well as a SFSTV and SFGR co-infection for the differential diagnosis of patients bitten by ticks in SFTSV-endemic areas.

scholarly journals Evaluation of PCR-Based Assay for Diagnosis of Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiosis in Human Serum Samples

2005 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 759-763 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yeon-Joo Choi ◽  
Seung-Hyun Lee ◽  
Kyung-Hee Park ◽  
Young-Sang Koh ◽  
Keun-Hwa Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Immunoglobulin M ◽  
Rickettsia Conorii ◽  
Spotted Fever Group ◽  
Sequencing Analysis ◽  
Pcr Assay ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Dna Fragment ◽  
Sfg Rickettsia

ABSTRACT A nested PCR assay was developed for the detection of spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae in serum samples. The assay was based on specific primers derived from the rickettsial outer membrane protein B gene (rompB) of Rickettsia conorii. An SFG rickettsia-specific signal is obtained from R. akari, R. japonica, R. sibirica, and R. conorii. Other bacterial species tested did not generate any signal, attesting to the specificity of the assay. As few as seven copies of the rompB gene of R. conorii could be detected in 200 μl of serum sample. The assay was evaluated with a panel of sera obtained from patients with acute-phase febrile disease tested by immunofluorescent antibody assay (IFA). The SFG rickettsia-specific DNA fragment was detected in 71 out of 100 sera, which were proven to have immunoglobulin M antibodies against SFG rickettsial antigen by IFA. The results were further confirmed by restriction fragment length polymorphism and sequencing analysis of the DNA fragments. The results indicated that this PCR assay is suitable for the diagnosis of spotted fever group rickettsiosis in Korea.

scholarly journals Rickettsia spp. in bats of Romania: high prevalence of Rickettsia monacensis in two insectivorous bat species

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ioana A. Matei ◽  
Alexandra Corduneanu ◽  
Attila D. Sándor ◽  
Angela Monica Ionică ◽  
Luciana Panait ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Spotted Fever Group ◽  
Insectivorous Bats ◽  
Tissue Samples ◽  
Terrestrial Vertebrate ◽  
Rickettsia Monacensis ◽  
Chi Squared ◽  
Vector Borne ◽  
Positive Results

Abstract Background Spotted fever group rickettsiae represent one of the most diverse groups of vector-borne bacteria, with several human pathogenic species showing an emerging trend worldwide. Most species are vectored by ticks (Ixodidae), with many zoonotic reservoir species among most terrestrial vertebrate groups. While the reservoir competence of many different vertebrate species is well known (e.g. birds, rodents and dogs), studies on insectivorous bats have been rarely performed despite their high species diversity, ubiquitous urban presence and importance in harboring zoonotic disease agents. Romania has a high diversity and ubiquity of bats. Moreover, seven out of eight SFG rickettsiae species with zoonotic potential were previously reported in Romania. Based on this, the aim of this study was to detect Rickettsia species in tissue samples in bats. Methods Here we report a large-scale study (322 bats belonging to 20 species) on the presence of Rickettsia spp. in Romanian bat species. Tissue samples from insectivorous bats were tested for the presence of Rickettsia DNA using PCR detection amplifying a 381 bp fragment of the gltA gene. Positive results were sequenced to confirm the results. The obtained results were statistically analyzed by chi-squared independence test. Results Positive results were obtained in 14.6% of bat samples. Sequence analysis confirmed the presence of R. monacensis in two bat species (Nyctalus noctula and Pipistrellus pipistrellus) in two locations. Conclusion This study provides the first evidence of a possible involvement of these bat species in the epidemiology of Rickettsia spp., highlighting the importance of bats in natural cycles of these vector-borne pathogens.

Hepatic brucelloma: a rare complication of a common zoonotic disease

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. e237076
Author(s):  
George Vatidis ◽  
Eirini I Rigopoulou ◽  
Konstantinos Tepetes ◽  
George N Dalekos
Keyword(s):  
Rare Complication ◽  
Surgical Excision ◽  
Coombs Test ◽  
Inflammation Markers ◽  
Laboratory Findings ◽  
Ct Guided ◽  
Rare Manifestation ◽  
Bone Marrow Cultures ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Right

Hepatic brucelloma (HB), a rare manifestation of brucellosis, refers to liver involvement in the form of abscess. A 35-year-old woman stockbreeder was admitted due to 1-month history of evening fever, sweating and weight loss, while she was on 3-week course of rifampicin/doxycycline for suspected brucellosis. On admission, she had hepatosplenomegaly and a systolic murmur, while cholestasis, increased inflammation markers and a strong-positive Wright-Coombs test were the main laboratory findings. As blood and bone marrow cultures were unrevealing, further investigation with CT imaging showed a central liver calcification surrounded by heterogeneous hypodense area being compatible with HB. Material from CT-guided drainage tested negative for Brucella spp. After failure to improve on a 10-week triple regiment, surgical excision was decided and Brucella spp were identified by PCR. Our case highlights challenges in establishing HB diagnosis, which should be considered on the right epidemiological context and when serological and radiological evidence favour its diagnosis.

scholarly journals Euglycemic Diabetic Ketoacidosis after a Single Dose of Empagliflozin in a Patient with Pancreatitis

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 216-218
Author(s):  
Marta Brandão Calçada ◽  
Luís Fernandes ◽  
Rita Soares Costa ◽  
Sara Montezinho ◽  
Filipa Martins Duarte ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Type 2 Diabetes ◽  
Diabetic Ketoacidosis ◽  
Drug Class ◽  
Clinical Suspicion ◽  
Laboratory Findings ◽  
Sodium Glucose Cotransporter ◽  
History Of ◽  
High Degree ◽  
Euglycemic Diabetic Ketoacidosis

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) are the most recently approved drug class for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D). Although they are largely well-tolerated, their intake has been associated with euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in some rare cases. We report the case of a 70-year-old male with type 2 diabetes and no history of DKA, who started therapy with empagliflozin one day before presenting with acute pancreatitis and laboratory findings consistent with euglycemic DKA. SGLT2i can induce euglycemic DKA from the first dose. Given the atypical presentation, a high degree of clinical suspicion is required to recognize this complication.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document