Epidemiology of spotted fever group rickettsioses and acute undifferentiated Febrile Illness in Villeta, Colombia

Álvaro A. Faccini-Martínez, Alejandro Ramírez-Hernández, Christian Barreto, Elkin Forero-Becerra, Diego Millán, Elkin Valbuena, Andrea C. Sánchez-Alfonso, Wilson O. Imbacuán-Pantoja, Jesús A. Cortés-Vecino, Luis J. Polo-Terán, Néstor Yaya-Lancheros, Jorge Jácome, Ana M. Palomar, Sonia Santibáñez, Aránzazu Portillo, José A. Oteo, Marylin Hidalgo

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

33 Scopus citations

Abstract

Etiology of acute undifferentiated febrile syndrome (AUFS) is often unknown, leading to inaccurate diagnosis and treatment. Villeta town has been identifiedas an endemic area for spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsioses but little is known about possible amplifier hosts and other Rickettsia species different from Rickettsia rickettsii. Besides, few studies have approached other AUFS etiologies in the region. We investigated the role of dengue, leptospirosis, rick-ettsioses, human anaplasmosis, and Q fever as possible causes of AUFS in patients from Villeta. Sera specimens and ticks from animals as well as ticks from vegetation were studied for the presence of different Rickettsia spp. Among 104 sera from patients with AUFS, 16.4%, 24.0%, and 2.9% patients seroconverted to dengue, Leptospira, and SFG Rick-ettsia, respectively, with a case of probable coinfection or cross-reaction with Anaplasma phagocytophilum. None of the samples were reactive for Coxiella burnetii. Sera samples from 74 horses, 118 dogs, and 62 bovines were collected and showed 33.8%, 14.4%, and 50.0% of seroprevalence for SFG Rickettsia, respectively. A total of 1,287 ixodid ticks were collected from animals/vegetation and processed in pools for polymerase chain reaction. Among them, 1.7% was positive for Rickettsia genes, and Rickettsia amblyommii, R. rickettsii, and Rickettsia spp. were found. These results confirm the circulation of dengue, different SFG Rickettsia species and the relevance of other etiologies like leptospirosis and human anaplasmosis. Further studies must identify different epidemiological variables to establish proper surveillance and control programs.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)782-788
Number of pages7
JournalAmerican Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Volume97
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 2017
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Virology
  • Parasitology

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