Only one species of spotted fever-group rickettsiae that is pathogenic for humans has been isolated in Brazil, where few physicians are familiar with this disease. In order to obtain information on tick-borne rickettsiosis, a study was performed in the County of Santa Cruz do Escalvado, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil, where a fatal clinical case confirmed by specific immunofluorescence had been reported. Serum samples obtained from 679 humans and 96 dogs were tested by indirect immunofluorescence for detectable antibodies to spotted fever-group rickettsiae, the criterion for a positive result being a titer > or = 1:64. Seropositivity was detected in 7.14% of the humans sera examined and 13.68% of the dogs. We discuss the significance of these findings and formulate some questions, emphasizing the need for further investigation.
CITATION STYLE
de Lemos, E. R., Machado, R. D., & Coura, J. R. (1994). Rocky Mountain spotted fever in an endemic area in Minas Gerais, Brazil. Memórias Do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, 89(4), 497–501. https://doi.org/10.1590/s0074-02761994000400001
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