Current and Future Trends in the Clinical Diagnosis of Rickettsioses Sensu lato
Journal Title: International Journal of TROPICAL DISEASE & Health - Year 2014, Vol 4, Issue 2
Abstract
Aims: The aim of this review is to present Rickettsioses sensu lato, with emphasis on their current and future clinical diagnosis. The review presents the conditions, the agents that cause them, and the current gold standards on their diagnosis in national and international reference centres. Additionally, this review covers the various emerging technologies available in the diagnosis of Rickettsioses and discusses their potential for future use as gold standards in the diagnosis of these diseases. Introduction: The introduction presents Rickettsioses sensu lato and gives a broad overview of the conditions they cause, the issues associated with their current diagnosis and the need for their improved, earlier and more accurate diagnosis, in order to prevent current issues with false negatives, misdiagnosis or delay in the diagnosis associated with these conditions, which often renders them grave or lethal. Main Body: The main body of the review presents in independent sections Rickettsias, Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, Bartonella and Coxiella and the conditions associated with each of these bacteria. Spotted fever, endemic typhus, human granulocytic anaplasmosis, human monocytic ehrlichioses, bartonellosis and Q-fever are some of the conditions associated with this group of proteobacteria. The emphasis is on the clinical diagnosis of these conditions and an overview of the current practice, gold standards in reference laboratories and improvements in these methodologies is presented. The last part of the review focuses on novel technologies in bacterial detection and their application specifically on Rickettsioses sensu lato, demonstrating how these technologies are being applied in this field and how they could improve current standards and resolve issues associated with the clinical diagnosis of rickettsioses. Conclusion: Rickettsioses sensu lato are conditions associated with proteobacteria historically included in the Rickettsiaceae family, able to cause a number of conditions, often grave or lethal. One of the major issues associated with poor clinical outcome is the lack of early and accurate differential diagnostic methodologies. Current methods, including serological and molecular biology techniques have various advantages and disadvantages, which new technologies available or currently in development may be in a position to resolve and the issues associated with the institution of such technologies.
Authors and Affiliations
S. Missailidis, D. T. Godoy, M. A. M. M. Mares-Guia, A. R. M. Favacho, E. R. S. Lemos
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP343544
- DOI 10.9734/IJTDH/2014/6019
- Views 79
- Downloads 0
Nutritional Status of Children with Congenital Heart Diseases at a University Teaching Hospital, North-Western Nigeria
Background: Congenital heart diseases (CHD) in children may be associated with varying degrees of undernutrition due to poor intake, impaired nutrient utilization and increased metabolic demands in the presence of heart...
The Predictive Diagnostic and Prognostic Cut-off Values for Interleukin 8 in Patients with Meningitis in Egypt
Objectives: This work was done to detect the best cut-off values for IL-8 to diagnose CNS infections (meningitis and meningio-encephalitis), to differentiate septic from aseptic types, and to predict mortality. Methods:...
Assessment of Antihelminthic Efficacy of Mebendazole 500 mg against Soil- Transmitted Helminths in a High Risk Area of Cameroon
Background: The three major soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) (Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura and Necator americanus/Ancylostoma duodenale) cause the highest burden on public health particularly in the sub-sah...
Tetanus Toxoid Immunization Coverage in Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, Abia State, South East Zone, Nigeria
Background: Tetanus toxoid immunization is given to pregnant women and women of child bearing age to prevent neonatal tetanus and maternal tetanus. The tetanus toxoid vaccine is given five times to women of child bearing...
Association between Malaria Prevalence and Seropositivity of Immunoglobulin G Subtypes Directed to Plasmodium falciparum Merozoite Surface Protein 1-19
Aims: To determine Immunoglobulin G (IgG) subtypes (IgG1, IgG2, IgG3 and IgG4) responses to PfMSP1-19 antigens and their associations with malaria across different age groups. Study Design: A community based cross secti...