Research into a new disease transmitted by ticks

Researchers at the UAB Department of Medicine and the Parc Taulí University Institute have studied a new and fairly unknown tick-borne disease. A recent publication details the study carried out at the Hospital of Sabadell of the first 36 diagnosed cases of non-severe infections affecting mainly children. The infections were caused by a tick vector found in animal species such as the wild boar, but which is not of the same species as the common dog tick.

30/07/2008

One of the prevailing bacterial diseases transmitted by dog ticks in Catalonia is the Mediterranean Spotted Fever; a disease which has been present for many years. Researchers at the UAB and Parc Taulí University Hospital have spent over 25 years studying different epidemiological, clinical, laboratory and therapeutical aspects of this disease, in some cases in collaboration with researchers at the UAB Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. The disease appears during the summer and can affect both adults and children.

A group of researchers led by Ferran Segura, Director of the Chair in Infectious Diseases Parc Taulí-UAB, recently identified a new disease transmitted by ticks which, as in the case of the Mediterranean Spotted Fever, is produced by the Rickettsia bacteria. Since this bacteria is intracellular it is difficult to cultivate. Diagnoses are commonly made through serology, although modern molecular biology techniques are of great help when diagnosing the disease.

Researchers have included the first 36 diagnosed cases from the Hospital of Sabadell in an article published in the Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal, and highlight the fact that almost all patients are children. In this case the tick vector is not the common dog tick but rather another tick species found mainly on wild boars. The most characteristic clinical feature of the disease is an inoculation lesion of the scalp. Patients also present regional inflammation of the ganglia. The causing agent is the Rickettsia slovaca while the tick transmitting the disease is called Dermacentor marginatus. The disease, which is not severe and can be cured with antibiotics, commonly appears during autumn and winter.

Researchers, who were able to confirm that the Rickettsia bacteria is carried by field ticks or those found on wild boars, consider it important for adults and children in particular to be careful when spending time out in the country. If bitten, the tick should be removed as soon as possible to avoid being infected with the disease.

Article: "Tick-borne lymphadenopathy – A new infectious disease in children". Segura, F; Antón, E; Font, B; Muñoz, T; Traveria, FJ; Sanfeliu, I; Lario, S; Luelmo, J; Quesada, M. PEDIATRIC INFECTIOUS DISEASE JOURNAL. Vol. 27. Issue: 7. Pages: 618-622. Published: JUL 2008.