LABORATORY CONFIRMATION OF THE SPOTTED FEVER GROUP RICKETTSIOSES AMONG PATIENTS WITH TYPICAL AND ATYPICAL CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS

Author(s):  
T.A. Chekanova ◽  

In the group of patients with typical clinical signs of acute tick-borne rickettsioses, specific IgM and/or IgG with/without IgA were found in 75.6% cases. IgG were low avidity in most cases, which indicated the recent primary infection. More than 20% of sera have single group specific IgA. In patients with atypical manifestations highly avidity IgG were predominant, that along with the presence of IgM and/or IgA may indicate re-infection or infection by new species, which is different from previous pathogen of the tick-borne spotted group rickettsioses.

2003 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 479-481 ◽  
Author(s):  
Márcio Antônio Moreira Galvão ◽  
Simone Berger Calic ◽  
Chequer Buffe Chamone ◽  
Cláudio Lísias Mafra S. ◽  
Gracco Cesarino Filho ◽  
...  

We report cases of spotted fever rickettsiosis in Coronel Fabriciano Municipality of Minas Gerais State, Brazil. The cases occurred in May and June of 2000. During this period there were two deaths among children from an area named Pedreira in a periurban area of this municipality. In a boy who died with clinical manifestations of Brazilian spotted fever, a necropsy revealed the presence of a spotted fever group Rickettsia. The serological results confirm the difficulty in the differential diagnosis of patients with symptoms of rickettsial diseases.


2005 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 54-62
Author(s):  
Jashin J. Wu ◽  
David B. Huang ◽  
Katie R. Pang ◽  
Stephen K. Tyring

Background: The rickettsial diseases are an important group of infectious agents that have dermatological manifestations. These diseases are important to consider in endemic areas, but in certain suspicious cases, possible acts of bioterrorism should warrant prompt notification of the appropriate authorities. Objective: In this two part review article, we review these diverse diseases by examining established and up-to-date information about the pathophysiology, epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and treatment of the ricksettsiae. Methods: Using PubMed to search for relevant articles, we browsed over 500 articles to compose a clinically based review article. Results: Part one focuses on pathophysiology of the rickettsial diseases and the clinical aspects of the spotted fever group. Conclusions: At the completion of part one of this learning activity, participants should be able to discuss all of the clinical manifestations and treatments of the sported fever group. Participants should also be familiar with the pathophysiology of the rickettsial diseases.


2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucas S Blanton

Infections caused by organisms of the genus Rickettsia, Orientia, Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, and Coxiella occur throughout the world and are important, yet often overlooked, causes of febrile illness. They are transmitted by ticks, lice, mites, fleas, and, in the case of Coxiella, infected aerosols. Some are considered emerging and reemerging infectious diseases, as exemplified by the emergence of Rocky Mountain spotted fever in the American Southwest and Mexico; the reemergence of murine typhus in parts of Texas; and the discovery of new pathogens, such as Ehrlichia muris–like agent. Manifestations are usually of an acute undifferentiated febrile illness, with associated headache, malaise, myalgias, and varying frequency of rash. Since confirmation of diagnosis is often retrospective, requiring the dynamic change in antibody titers from acute and convalescent phase sera, clinical recognition for empirical treatment is imperative. Indeed, timely treatment is effective at abating symptoms and preventing complications. This review discusses important aspects of the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, diagnostic methods, and treatment of infections caused by Rickettsia and related organisms.  This review contains 5 figures, 9 tables, and 50 references. Key words: anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, Q fever, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, scrub typhus, spotted fever group rickettsioses, typhus group rickettsioses


Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 88
Author(s):  
Navatha Alugubelly ◽  
John V. Stokes ◽  
Claire E. Cross ◽  
Anne-Marie L. Ross ◽  
Anna E. Crawford ◽  
...  

Based on limited serological studies, at least 10% of the US population has been exposed to spotted fever group Rickettsia (SFGR) species. The immunofluorescence antibody assay (IFA) has been the gold standard for the serodiagnosis of rickettsial infections such as spotted fever rickettsiosis (SFR). However, the IFA is semi-quantitative and subjective, requiring a high level of expertise to interpret it correctly. Here, we developed an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the serodiagnosis of Rickettsia parkeri infection in the guinea pig. Our ELISA is an objective, quantitative, and high-throughput assay that shows greater sensitivity and resolution in observed titers than the IFA. We methodically optimized relevant parameters in sequence for optimal signal-to-noise ratio and low coefficient of variation% values. We used a guinea pig model as it is a part of our overall research efforts to understand the immunological and clinical response to SFGR species after tick transmission. Guinea pigs are a useful model to study SFR and show clinical signs of SFR, such as fever and eschars. We anticipate that this assay will be easily adapted to other hosts, including humans and other SFGR species.


2019 ◽  
pp. 92-98
Author(s):  
T. V. Vavilova ◽  
L. A. Isaeva ◽  
K. Yu. Grinchenko ◽  
Ju. D. Bogatenkova ◽  
V. A. Sorokoumov

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an immune-mediated violation of coagulation, the diagnosis of which requires mandatory laboratory confirmation. Since the clinical manifestations of APS are extremely diverse, various specialists are involved in the diagnostic process – neurology, cardiologists, surgeons, hematologists, endocrinologists, laboratory medicine specialists, etc. So far, it remains an open question what specialist exactly should make the final diagnosis and supervise patient with APS. The experience of a separate diagnostic center shows the distribution of prescriptions and their compliance with the international recommendations. This study also provides data on the frequency of prescribing laboratory tests to confirm APS, which is 1.2% of all coagulation tests. Among the patients with suspected APS on the basis of clinical signs, only 12.2% of the diagnosis was confirmed. Presents the dangers of obtaining false-positive results that should be taken into account when prescribing laboratory tests.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Knut Eirik Eliassen ◽  
Lukas Frans Ocias ◽  
Karen A. Krogfelt ◽  
Peter Wilhelmsson ◽  
Susanne Gjeruldsen Dudman ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Erythema migrans (EM) is the most common manifestation of Lyme borreliosis. Here, we examined EM patients in Norwegian general practice to find the proportion exposed to tick-transmitted microorganisms other than Borrelia, and the impact of co-infection on the clinical manifestations and disease duration. Methods Skin biopsies from 139/188 EM patients were analyzed using PCR for Neoehrlichia mikurensis, Rickettsia spp., Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Babesia spp. Follow-up sera from 135/188 patients were analyzed for spotted fever group (SFG) Rickettsia, A. phagocytophilum and Babesia microti antibodies, and tested with PCR if positive. Day 0 sera from patients with fever (8/188) or EM duration of ≥ 21 days (69/188) were analyzed, using PCR, for A. phagocytophilum, Rickettsia spp., Babesia spp. and N. mikurensis. Day 14 sera were tested for TBEV IgG. Results We detected no microorganisms in the skin biopsies nor in the sera of patients with fever or prolonged EM duration. Serological signs of exposure against SFG Rickettsia and A. phagocytophilum were detected in 11/135 and 8/135, respectively. Three patients exhibited both SFG Rickettsia and A. phagocytophilum antibodies, albeit negative PCR. No antibodies were detected against B. microti. 2/187 had TBEV antibodies without prior immunization. There was no significant increase in clinical symptoms or disease duration in patients with possible co-infection. Conclusions Co-infection with N. mikurensis, A. phagocytophilum, SFG Rickettsia, Babesia spp. and TBEV is uncommon in Norwegian EM patients. Despite detecting antibodies against SFG Rickettsia and A. phagocytophilum in some patients, no clinical implications could be demonstrated.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Takeshi Kawaguchi ◽  
Kunihiko Umekita ◽  
Atsushi Yamanaka ◽  
Seiichiro Hara ◽  
Tetsuro Yamaguchi ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging viral hemorrhagic fever in China, Korea, and Japan. Japanese spotted fever (JSF), which belongs to spotted fever group rickettsioses, is also endemic to Western Japan. Patients with SFTS and those with JSF display many of the same clinical manifestations. Sudden fever, rash, tick bite, and neurological and gastrointestinal symptoms may be seen in both infections, but the frequency and severity of each disease have not been compared and studied. Because laboratory confirmation of pathogens takes time, it is important to predict diagnosis of SFTS vs JSF based on the features of the clinical characteristics at the initial presentation, particularly in primary care settings. Methods We conducted a case series review at 4 medical facilities in Miyazaki, Japan. Based on the medical records, clinical and laboratory characteristics were compared between patients with SFTS and those with JSF. Results Eighty-one patients were enrolled in this study, including 41 with SFTS and 40 with JSF. The absence of rash (P < .001), leukopenia (P < .001), and normal C-reactive protein (CRP) levels (P < .001) were the variables distinguishing SFTS from JSF. Normal CRP levels (≤1.0 mg/dL) had a 95% sensitivity (84%–99%) and 97% specificity (87%–100%) for SFTS, with a positive likelihood ratio of 37.1 (5.35–257). Conclusions Normal serum CRP levels were shown to differentiate SFTS from JSF with a very high probability.


Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 1434
Author(s):  
Tsai-Ying Yen ◽  
Hsi-Chieh Wang ◽  
Yin-Chao Chang ◽  
Chien-Ling Su ◽  
Shu-Fen Chang ◽  
...  

Tick-borne spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsioses were neglected in Taiwan. The study reported a seroepidemiological survey of SFG rickettsiae in residents in Gongliao District, Northeast Taiwan. Blood samples were examined for antibodies against SFG rickettsiae by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunofluorescence assay. Risk factors were assessed using logistic regression. Ticks parasitizing dogs were collected within a 2 km radius from the houses of seropositive participants, and PCR was performed to detect possible tick-borne pathogens. Of 1108 participants, 75 (6.8%) had antibodies against SFG rickettsiae. Residents were more likely to be seropositive if they were older than 65 years, recruited by Dr. Enjoy’s Clinic, or resided in Jilin village. A total of 184 ticks including 5 species (Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Rhipicephalus haemaphysaloides, Dermacentor auratus, Haemaphysalis hystricis, Haemaphysalis ornithophila) were collected. Rickettsia spp. were detected in 6.5% (12/184) of ticks. Rickettsia sp. TwKM01 was found in 6 R. sanguineus and 4 R. haemaphysaloides; while Rickettsia sp. TwKM03 was identified in 1 R. sanguineus. Moreover, gene-based pairwise analysis indicated identification of a putative new species, Rickettsia sp. Da-1, in D. auratus. These findings provided evidence of SFG rickettsiae infection in ticks and suggested SFG rickettsiae exposure in the residents.


Author(s):  
А.Р. Зарипова ◽  
Л.Р. Нургалиева ◽  
А.В. Тюрин ◽  
И.Р. Минниахметов ◽  
Р.И. Хусаинова

Проведено исследование гена интерферон индуцированного трансмембранного белка 5 (IFITM5) у 99 пациентов с несовершенным остеогенезом (НО) из 86 неродственных семей. НО - клинически и генетически гетерогенное наследственное заболевание соединительной ткани, основное клиническое проявление которого - множественные переломы, начиная с неонатального периода жизни, зачастую приводящие к инвалидизации с детского возраста. К основным клиническим признакам НО относятся голубые склеры, потеря слуха, аномалия дентина, повышенная ломкость костей, нарушения роста и осанки с развитием характерных инвалидизирующих деформаций костей и сопутствующих проблем, включающих дыхательные, неврологические, сердечные, почечные нарушения. НО встречается как у мужчин, так и у женщин. До сих пор не определена степень генетической гетерогенности заболевания. На сегодняшний день известно 20 генов, вовлеченных в патогенез НО, и исследователи разных стран продолжают искать новые гены. В последнее десятилетие стало известно, что аутосомно-рецессивные, аутосомно-доминантные и Х-сцепленные мутации в широком спектре генов, кодирующих белки, которые участвуют в синтезе коллагена I типа, его процессинге, секреции и посттрансляционной модификации, а также в белках, которые регулируют дифференцировку и активность костеобразующих клеток, вызывают НО. Мутации в гене IFITM5, также называемом BRIL (bone-restricted IFITM-like protein), участвующем в формировании остеобластов, приводят к развитию НО типа V. До 5% пациентов имеют НО типа V, который характеризуется образованием гиперпластического каллуса после переломов, кальцификацией межкостной мембраны предплечья и сетчатым рисунком ламелирования, наблюдаемого при гистологическом исследовании кости. В 2012 г. гетерозиготная мутация (c.-14C> T) в 5’-нетранслируемой области (UTR) гена IFITM5 была идентифицирована как основная причина НО V типа. В представленной работе проведен анализ гена IFITM5 и идентифицирована мутация c.-14C>T, возникшая de novo, у одного пациента с НО, которому впоследствии был установлен V тип заболевания. Также выявлены три известных полиморфных варианта: rs57285449; c.80G>C (p.Gly27Ala) и rs2293745; c.187-45C>T и rs755971385 c.279G>A (p.Thr93=) и один ранее не описанный вариант: c.128G>A (p.Ser43Asn) AGC>AAC (S/D), которые не являются патогенными. В статье уделяется внимание особенностям клинических проявлений НО V типа и рекомендуется определение мутации c.-14C>T в гене IFITM5 при подозрении на данную форму заболевания. A study was made of interferon-induced transmembrane protein 5 gene (IFITM5) in 99 patients with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) from 86 unrelated families and a search for pathogenic gene variants involved in the formation of the disease phenotype. OI is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous hereditary disease of the connective tissue, the main clinical manifestation of which is multiple fractures, starting from the natal period of life, often leading to disability from childhood. The main clinical signs of OI include blue sclera, hearing loss, anomaly of dentin, increased fragility of bones, impaired growth and posture, with the development of characteristic disabling bone deformities and associated problems, including respiratory, neurological, cardiac, and renal disorders. OI occurs in both men and women. The degree of genetic heterogeneity of the disease has not yet been determined. To date, 20 genes are known to be involved in the pathogenesis of OI, and researchers from different countries continue to search for new genes. In the last decade, it has become known that autosomal recessive, autosomal dominant and X-linked mutations in a wide range of genes encoding proteins that are involved in the synthesis of type I collagen, its processing, secretion and post-translational modification, as well as in proteins that regulate the differentiation and activity of bone-forming cells cause OI. Mutations in the IFITM5 gene, also called BRIL (bone-restricted IFITM-like protein), involved in the formation of osteoblasts, lead to the development of OI type V. Up to 5% of patients have OI type V, which is characterized by the formation of a hyperplastic callus after fractures, calcification of the interosseous membrane of the forearm, and a mesh lamellar pattern observed during histological examination of the bone. In 2012, a heterozygous mutation (c.-14C> T) in the 5’-untranslated region (UTR) of the IFITM5 gene was identified as the main cause of OI type V. In the present work, the IFITM5 gene was analyzed and the de novo c.-14C> T mutation was identified in one patient with OI who was subsequently diagnosed with type V of the disease. Three known polymorphic variants were also identified: rs57285449; c.80G> C (p.Gly27Ala) and rs2293745; c.187-45C> T and rs755971385 c.279G> A (p.Thr93 =) and one previously undescribed variant: c.128G> A (p.Ser43Asn) AGC> AAC (S / D), which were not pathogenic. The article focuses on the features of the clinical manifestations of OI type V, and it is recommended to determine the c.-14C> T mutation in the IFITM5 gene if this form of the disease is suspected.


2012 ◽  
pp. 74-84
Author(s):  
Thi Kieu Nhi Nguyen

Objectives: 1. Estimating the ratios of clinical and paraclinical signs of post-term newborns hospitalized at Pediatric Department of Hue University Hospital. 2. Identifying the relation between clinical signs and paraclinical signs. Materials and Method: 72 post- term babies < 7 days of life hospitalized at NICU from 2010/5 to 2011/4. Classification of post - term newborn was based on WHO 2003: gestational age ≥ 42 weeks with clinical manifestations: desquamation on press with fingers or natural desquamation, withered or meconial umbilicus, meconial long finger nails (*) or geatational age still < 42 weeks with theses clinical manifestations (*). Data were recorded on a clinical record form. Per-protocol analysis of clinical outcomes was performed by using Medcalc 11.5 and Excell 2007. Analyses used the χ2 test or Fisher's exact test for categorical data; Student's t test was used for continuous data and the Mann-Whitney U test for nonparametric data. Data were presented as means or proportions with 95% CIs. Results: Clinical characteristics: Tachypnea and grasp were main reasons of hospitalisation (48.61%). Poor feeding, vomitting (16.67%). Asphyxia (8.34%). Jawndice (6.94%). Hypothermia < 36.50C (13.89%), fever (13.89%). Tachypnea (59.72%). Bradycardia (1.39%). Poor feeding (11.11%). Hypertonia (9.72%). Paraclinical characteristics: Erythrocytes < 4.5.1012/l (51.39%), Leucocytes 5 – 25.103/mm3 (81.94%), Thrombocytes 100- 400.103/mm3 (94.44%). Hemoglobinemia < 10mg/l (67.61%). Maternal characteristics: Menstrual cycles regular (75%). Primiparity (75%). Amniotic volume average (70.42%), little (29.58%). Aminiotic liquid clair (62.5%), aminiotic liquid yellow (4.17%), aminiotic meconial liquid (33.33%). Maternal manifestation of one of many risk factors consist of genital infection; urinary infection; fever before, during, after 3 days of birth; prolonged delivery; medical diseases influence the foetus (75%). The relation between clinical signs and paraclinical signs: There was significantly statistical difference: between gestationnal age based on obstetrical criteria and amniotic volume on ultrasound (p < 0.05); between birth weight and glucosemia p < 0.02). There was conversional correlation of average level between erythroctes number and respiratory rate (r = - 0.5158; p < 0,0001), concordance correlation of weak level betwwen leucocytes number and respiratory rate r = 0.3045; p = 0.0093). Conclusion: It should made diagnosis of postterm baby based on degree of desquamation. The mother who has menstrual cycles regular is still delivered of a postterm baby. A postterm baby has the individual clinical and paraclinical signs.


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