Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
DISEASES TRANSMİTTED BY TICKS, Hacer İşler,Metin Özdemir, Editör, NOVA Science Publishers Inc. , New York, ss.153-157, 2021
Mediterranean Spotted Fever is a zoonosis with
fever and rash caused by Rickettsia
conorii. Rickettsia conorii is a
non-motile, non-spore forming, obligate intracellular bacterium. The main
vector for human transmission is the brown dog tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus.
Dogs are reservoir hosts and humans are accidental hosts. It is common in the
Mediterranean Region and is endemic to North Africa, the Middle East, Southern
Europe and Turkey. The disease is more common in the spring and summer months.
Laboratory diagnostic methods include cell culture, serological methods,
molecular methods such as PCR and DNA sequence analysis. Generally, serological
methods are preferred in the diagnosis. Since titer monitoring with serological
methods are time consuming and antibodies may not be detected at the early
phases of the disease, it is recommended to start antibiotics without waiting
for the results of serological tests in case of clinical suspicion. It should
also be considered as a preliminary diagnosis in endemic regions with patients
with fever and rash.