First case of imported African tick-bite fever in Poland – Case report

This is the first report of a case of African tick bite fever (ATBF) imported to Poland from South-Africa. The patient presented with fever of 38.4oC, generalized maculopapular rash and single eschar. Diagnosis was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) from eschar biopsies. The patient recovered without any sequelae after 7 days treatment with doxycycline

Analysis of the Rickettsia africae genome reveals that virulence acquisition in Rickettsia species may be explained by genome reduction

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The <it>Rickettsia </it>genus includes 25 validated species, 17 of which are proven human pathogens. Among these, the pathogenicity varies greatly, from the highly virulent <it>R. prowazekii</it>, which causes epidemic typhus and kills its arthropod host, to the mild pathogen <it>R. africae</it>, the agent of African tick-bite fever, which does not affect the fitness of its tick vector.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We evaluated the clonality of <it>R. africae </it>in 70 patients and 155 ticks, and determined its genome sequence, which comprises a circular chromosome of 1,278,540 bp including a <it>tra </it>operon and an unstable 12,377-bp plasmid. To study the genetic characteristics associated with virulence, we compared this species to <it>R. prowazekii</it>, <it>R. rickettsii </it>and <it>R. conorii</it>. <it>R. africae </it>and <it>R. prowazekii </it>have, respectively, the less and most decayed genomes. Eighteen genes are present only in <it>R. africae </it>including one with a putative protease domain upregulated at 37°C.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Based on these data, we speculate that a loss of regulatory genes causes an increase of virulence of rickettsial species in ticks and mammals. We also speculate that in <it>Rickettsia </it>species virulence is mostly associated with gene loss.</p> <p>The genome sequence was deposited in GenBank under accession number [GenBank: <ext-link ext-link-type="gen" ext-link-id="NZ_AAUY01000001">NZ_AAUY01000001</ext-link>].</p

Особенности ценообразования на рынке экскурсионных услуг Крыма

Цель статьи – анализ специфики ценообразования на экскурсионные услуги в Крыму как важного фактора развития этого рынка

Identification of Rickettsial Infections by Using Cutaneous Swab Specimens and PCR

To determine the usefulness of noninvasive cutaneous swab specimens for detecting rickettsiae, we tested skin eschars from 6 guinea pigs and from 9 humans. Specimens from eschars in guinea pigs were positive for rickettsiae as long as lesions were present. Optimal storage temperature for specimens was 4°C for 3 days

К вопросу о становлении женского политического движения в России в начале XX века

Цель исследования: изучить и дать исторический анализ культурного наследия крымскотатарских деятелей в лице Шефики Гаспринской и других лидеров в области общественно-политической и культурной жизни, раскрыть влияние тюрко-мусульманской прогрессивной части социума на решение проблемы равноправного, независимого, полноценного развития мусульманки, в конце XIX – начале XX веков

Rickettsia felis–associated Uneruptive Fever, Senegal

During November 2008–July 2009, we investigated the origin of unknown fever in Senegalese patients with a negative malaria test result, focusing on potential rickettsial infection. Using molecular tools, we found evidence for Rickettsia felis–associated illness in the initial days of infection in febrile Senegalese patients without malaria

Eschar and neck lymphadenopathy caused by Francisella tularensis after a tick bite: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>In 25 to 35% of cases, the aetiological agent of scalp eschar and neck lymphadenopathy after a tick bite remains undetermined. To date, <it>Rickettsia slovaca</it>, <it>Rickettsia raoultii </it>and more recently <it>Bartonella henselae </it>have been associated with this syndrome.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A four-year-old Caucasian boy was admitted to hospital with fever, vomiting and abdominal pain. On physical examination, an inflammatory and suppurating eschar was seen on the scalp, with multiple enlarged cervical lymph nodes on both sides. Although no tick was found in this scalp lesion, a diagnosis of tick-borne lymphadenopathy was suggested, and explored by serology testing and polymerase chain reaction of a biopsy from the eschar. <it>Francisella tularensis </it>DNA was found in the skin biopsy and the serology showed titres consistent with tularaemia.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This is, to the best of our knowledge, the first reported case of scalp eschar and neck lymphadenopathy after tick bite infection caused by <it>F. tularensis.</it></p