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Previous Volume 353:587-594 August 11, 2005 Number 6 Next

	Full Text PDF PDA Full Text PowerPoint Slide Set Perspective by Dumler, J. S. Add to Personal Archive Add to Citation Manager Notify a Friend E-mail When Cited E-mail When Letters Appear PubMed Citation

ABSTRACT

Background Rocky Mountain spotted fever is a life-threatening, tick-borne disease caused by Rickettsia rickettsii. This disease is rarely reported in Arizona, and the principal vectors, Dermacentor species ticks, are uncommon in the state. From 2002 through 2004, a focus of Rocky Mountain spotted fever was investigated in rural eastern Arizona.

Methods We obtained blood and tissue specimens from patients with suspected Rocky Mountain spotted fever and ticks from patients' homesites. Serologic, molecular, immunohistochemical, and culture assays were performed to identify the causative agent. On the basis of specific laboratory criteria, patients were classified as having confirmed or probable Rocky Mountain spotted fever infection.

Results A total of 16 patients with Rocky Mountain spotted fever infection (11 with confirmed and 5 with probable infection) were identified. Of these patients, 13 (81 percent) were children 12 years of age or younger, 15 (94 percent) were hospitalized, and 2 (12 percent) died. Dense populations of Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks were found on dogs and in the yards of patients' homesites. All patients with confirmed Rocky Mountain spotted fever had contact with tick-infested dogs, and four had a reported history of tick bite preceding the illness. R. rickettsii DNA was detected in nonengorged R. sanguineus ticks collected at one home, and R. rickettsii isolates were cultured from these ticks.

Conclusions This investigation documents the presence of Rocky Mountain spotted fever in eastern Arizona, with common brown dog ticks (R. sanguineus) implicated as a vector of R. rickettsii. The broad distribution of this common tick raises concern about its potential to transmit R. rickettsii in other settings.

Source Information

From the National Center for Infectious Diseases, Division of Viral and Rickettsial Diseases (L.J.D., W.L.N., C.D.P., D.M.B., M.E.E., G.A.D., M.L.L., J.S., S.R.Z., D.L.S., J.H.M.) and the Epidemic Intelligence Service, Office of Workforce and Career Development (L.J.D.), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta; the Indian Health Service, Whiteriver Service Unit, Whiteriver, Ariz. (M.S.T.); and the Indian Health Service, National Epidemiology Program, Albuquerque, N.M. (J.E.C.).

Address reprint requests to Dr. Demma at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd., MS D63, Atlanta, GA 30333, or at ldemma{at}cdc.gov.

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