What is Rickettsiosis?

Several tick-borne species of Rickettsia, broadly grouped under the heading “Spotted Fever Group Rickettsia (SFGR)” have been shown to cause human infections.

There are six identified species of Rickettsia that are potentially transmitted by ticks in the US:

• R. parkeri, transmitted by the bite of Gulf Coast ticks (Amblyomma maculatum sensu stricto and sensu lato)in the Eastern and southern US, primarily along the coast. the Gulf coast ticks was recently discovered in Connecticut for the first time. And potentially by the Lone star tick (A. americanum) and D. parumapertus in the west.
• Pacific Coast tick fever (PCTF), proposed name; (Type strain “Rickettsia species 364D”), transmitted by the Pacific Coast tick (Dermacentor occidentalis). Reported cases primarily from Northern California, the tick vector ranges from coastal Oregon to Baja California and Mexico.
• Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF), Rickettsia rickettsii, transmitted by the American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis), the Rocky Mountain wood tick (D. andersoni), the Pacific Coast tick (D. occidentalis), the brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato), and potentially by the lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum).
• Rickettsia massiliae transmitted by the brown dog tick, R. sanguineus
• Rickettsia amblyommatis transmitted by the lone star tick, A. americanum
• Rickettsia prowazekii transmitted by A. tenellum 

Numerous additional tick-borne Rickettsial species which are pathogenic to humans occur internationally, including but not limited to R. conorii and R. africae. Rickettsial infections with R. africae have been reported as a common cause of fever in travelers returning from South Africa. The brown dog tick and other tick species are associated with RMSF in Central and South America.

Is Rickettsia in Colorado?

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (R. rickettsia) is known to occur in Colorado and is transmitted through the bite of the Rocky Mountain wood tick (Dermacentor andersoni), the American Dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis) and the Brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus). Contrary to what the name suggests, this disease is actually more prevalent outside of the Rocky Mountains region. Other Rickettsial infections are also more prevalent along the coastal states, though expansion of disease occurrence through Rickettsia parkeri has just recently been noted in southern Arizona, well beyond the recognized geographic range of  Gulf Coast Ticks (A. maculatum) ticks. The likely vector for these infections was identified as the Amblyomma triste tick, a Neotropical species only recently recognized in the United States.

What are Rickettsiosis Symptoms?

The severity of illness may vary depending on the species. For example, human infections with R. parkeri and R. africae are generally considered mild and to some extent self-limiting infections. In contrast, R. conorii and some other infections may be more severe.

• Headache
• Fatigue
• Muscle aches
• Maculopapular rash or petechial rash
• A distinctive “eschar” (blackened or crusted skin) at bite site

How is Rickettsiosis Diagnosed?

Although the severity of infections attributable to SFGR vary greatly depending on the causative species, all suspect patients should be treated as if they have R. rickettsii (Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever) infection. Treatment should never be delayed pending diagnostic testing if Rickettsia is suspected based on clinical presentation, and recent tick bite or exposure to tick habitat.

Multiple eschars may be present if more than one tick bite has occurred. The observance of an eschar at the site of tick bite may help differentiate the infection from Rocky Mountain spotted fever, as eschars are rarely reported with that infection. Prompt treatment is recommended if tick-borne SFGR is suspected, and should never be delayed pending the outcome of diagnostic tests.

How do you test for Rickettsiosis?

Physicians seeking confirmation of infection with a SFGR pathogen may elect to use commercially available serologic assays that diagnose RMSF, and should report it as a case of “Spotted Fever Rickettsiosis” to their state health department.

Different SFGR pathogens cause immune reactions in humans that can be difficult to distinguish with antibody-based laboratory techniques.  Serologic cross-reactivity with available tests for R. rickettsii does occur, therefore some human illnesses currently being attributed to Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever in the United States may actually be caused by other SFGR, such as R. parkeri, Rickettsia 364D, or imported spotted fevers.

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and culture isolation of a swab or biopsy from an eschar or rash site may also be used to identify the pathogen. Specimens should be submitted to the state health department in the state where the patient resides, who can submit the samples to CDC for testing.

How is Rickettsiosis treated?

Tick-borne SFGR infections respond well to treatment with doxycycline, and this is considered the antibiotic of choice for patients of all ages. Treatment should never be delayed pending confirmation of laboratory tests.

References

2020 Rickettsiosis Subcommittee Report to the Tick-Borne Disease Working Group

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Centers for Disease Control-Travelers Health

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

The Eco-epidemiology of Pacific Coast Tick Fever in California