Vector-borne rickettsioses in North Africa

Tahar Kernif; Cristina Socolovschi; Idir Bitam; Didier Raoult; Philippe Parola

doi:10.1016/j.idc.2012.03.007

Vector-borne rickettsioses in North Africa

Infect Dis Clin North Am. 2012 Jun;26(2):455-78. doi: 10.1016/j.idc.2012.03.007.

Authors

Tahar Kernif¹, Cristina Socolovschi, Idir Bitam, Didier Raoult, Philippe Parola

Affiliation

¹ World Health Organization Collaborative Centre for Rickettsial Diseases and Other Arthropod-borne Bacterial Diseases, Aix Marseille University, 27 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13005 Marseille, France.

PMID: 22632649
DOI: 10.1016/j.idc.2012.03.007

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to overview vector-borne rickettsioses in North Africa, focusing on epidemiologic aspects, clinical features, diagnosis procedures, and treatment. The protective measures, the exposure to risk, and the dynamics of endemic emerging and re-emerging diseases in the region are detailed to minimize the risk when traveling in this area. In addition, the article describes the scientific contribution on the rickettsial field of North-African researchers from the beginning of the 20th century until today.

MeSH terms

Africa, Northern
Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
Doxycycline / therapeutic use
Fever / etiology
Humans
Mass Screening / methods
Rickettsia Infections* / diagnosis
Rickettsia Infections* / drug therapy
Rickettsia Infections* / prevention & control
Tick-Borne Diseases* / diagnosis
Tick-Borne Diseases* / drug therapy
Tick-Borne Diseases* / prevention & control

Substances

Anti-Bacterial Agents
Doxycycline