Rickettsia - Rickettsial Disease Transmission, The Spotted Fevers, Rickettsial Typhus Diseases, Prevention - Nonpathogenic rickettsia
causes species bacteria flagella
Rickettsia are a group of bacteria that cause a number of serious human diseases, including the spotted fevers and typhus. Rod- or sphere-shaped, rickettsia lack both flagella (whip-like organs that allow bacteria to move) and pili (short, flagella-like projections that help bacteria adhere to host cells). Specific species of rickettsia include Rickettsia rickettsii, which causes the dangerous Rocky Mountain spotted fever; R. akari, which causes the relatively mild rickettsial pox; R. prowazekii, which causes the serious disease epidemic typhus; R. typhi, the cause of the more benign endemic or rat typhus; and R. tsutsugamushi, the cause of scrub typhus.
Not all rickettsia cause disease. Some species, such as R. parkeri and R. montana, normally live inside certain species of ticks and are harmless to the insect. These rickettsia are nonpathogenic (they do not cause disease) to humans as well.
Additional Topics
Rocky Mountain spotted fever is one of the most severe rickettsial diseases. First recognized in the Rocky Mountains, it has since been found to occur throughout the United States. The Centers for Disease Control report about 600-1,000 cases occurring annually, but this number may be underestimated due to underreporting. Rickettsia rickettsii are carried and transmitted by four species of the hard…
With the exception of epidemic typhus, no vaccine exists to prevent rickettsial infection. Prevention of these diseases should focus on the elimination of insect carriers with insecticides and wearing heavy clothing when going into areas in which rickettsial carriers dwell. For instance, appropriate clothing for a forest expedition should include boots, long-sleeved shirts, and long pants. Treatin…
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