Acute spotted fever rickettsiosis among febrile patients, Cameroon
Autor(es): Ndip Lucy M, Bouyer Donald H, Travassos Da Rosa Amelia P A, Titanji V P K, Tesh Robert B, Walker David H
Resumo: Although potential arthropod vectors are abundant in Cameroon, acute febrile illnesses are rarely evaluated for arboviral or rickettsial infections. Serum samples from 234 acutely febrile patients at clinics in Tiko - Buea, Cameroon, were examined for antibodies to Rickettsia africae - African alphaviruses - flaviviruses. These serum samples did not contain antibodies against typhoid, - blood malarial parasites were not detected. Serum samples of 32% contained immunoglobulin M antibodies reactive with R. africae by immunofluorescence assay - were reactive with outer membrane proteins A - B of R. africae by immunoblotting. These findings established a diagnosis of acute rickettsiosis, most likely African tick-bite fever. Hemagglutination inhibition testing of the serum samples also detected antibodies to Chikungunya virus (47%) - flaviviruses (47%). High prevalence of antibodies to arboviruses may represent a major, previously unrecognized public health problem in an area where endemic malaria - typhoid fever have been the principal diagnostic considerations.
Palavras-Chave: Rickettsiae; Chikungunya virus; Flavivirus; Alphavirus; Rickettsia africae; Vector-borne diseases
Imprenta: Emerging Infectious Diseases, v. 10, n. 3, p. 432-437, 2004
Identificador do objeto digital: 10.3201/eid1003.020713
Descritores: Chikungunya virus - Arbovirus ; Chikungunya virus - Pathogenesis ; Chikungunya virus - Proteins ; Chikungunya virus - Antibodies ; Chikungunya Virus - Virus ; Chikungunya virus - Chikungunya fever ; Chikungunya virus - Epidemiology ; Chikungunya virus - Immunology ; Chikungunya virus - Public health
Data de publicação: 2004
