Rickettsia rickettsii, Rickettsia felis and Rickettsia sp. TwKM03 infecting Rhipicephalus sanguineus and Ctenocephalides felis collected from dogs in a Brazilian spotted fever focus in the State of Rio De Janeiro/Brazil

Brazilian spotted fever (BSF) caused by Rickettsia rickettsii is transmitted to humans by Amblyomma tick species occurring mainly in southeastern regions of the country. The disease is similar to the North American Rocky Mountain spotted fever and without an adequate and prompt treatment it can be fatal. In the last years, the number of BSF cases has increased in the State of Rio de Janeiro. Epidemiologic data on vectors and hosts are lacking. Recently, the first BSF fatal case was registered in the Barra Mansa municipality. Targeting the adoption of the adequate rickettsiosis control strategy we developed an epidemiological study, using immunological and molecular techniques, to detect Rickettsia species in potential vectors and hosts of this new BSF focus.