Abstract
Rickettsia typhi and Rickettsia felis are flea-borne rickettsiae that are distributed throughout the world. This mini-review outlines the ecology and epidemiology of flea-borne rickettsioses; highlights important clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutic considerations; and discusses areas of uncertainty regarding Rickettsia felis and other rickettsiae harbored by fleas.
Highlights
Members of the genus Rickettsia are obligately intracellular Gram-negative organisms that are transmitted to humans via hemophagous arthropod vectors
Rickettsia felis causes a similar illness, and disease is often referred to as flea-borne spotted fever,[3] the organism is a member of the transitional group, which consists of rickettsiae residing in a phylogenetic clade between the spotted fever and typhus groups and possessing phenotypic features that are difficult to classify.[1]
This mini-review outlines the ecology and epidemiology of flea-borne rickettsioses, highlights important clinical features, and discusses areas of uncertainty regarding R. felis and other rickettsiae harbored by fleas
Summary
Members of the genus Rickettsia are obligately intracellular Gram-negative organisms that are transmitted to humans via hemophagous arthropod vectors. The organism infects the midgut epithelium of the flea and is shed in the feces, where it is transmitted to humans by the inoculation of R. typhi-laden flea feces onto flea bite wounds or mucous membranes.[4] Murine typhus is often indistinguishable from other causes of fever in the tropics and is likely vastly under diagnosed. It is increasingly recognized in returning travelers5—at times with severe manifestations.[6,7]. There has never been a death attributed to infection with R. felis
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
