Abstract:
Tick-borne disease burdens are increasing globally, impacting mostly rural and vulnerable communities. Among the most important emerging tick-borne pathogens are the Rickettsia species within the spotted fever group (SFGR) because of their genetic diversity and high lethality rate. Colombia is highly affected by SFGR despite not being reportable diseases; thus, research and clinical management are neglected. Although some departments have demonstrated high seroprevalence rates, in others, such as Boyacá Department, seroprevalence is unknown. Rickettsioses have not been described in Boyacá since 1943, and conversations with local physicians raised suspicions of recent undiagnosed disease compatible with rickettsiosis in some rural areas of the department, warranting epidemiological investigation. Using biobanked human and canine samples from a previous 2021 vector-borne disease study in Miraflores municipality, Boyacá, we had an opportunity to unearth SFGR\'s exposure in the region. Samples were evaluated using IgG indirect fluorescent assays against SFGR and complemented by survey questionnaires evaluating associated factors. Findings yielded first-time SFGR serological evidence in Boyacá with a 26.5% seroprevalence among dogs and a 20.4% among humans. Human and dog seroprevalences were positively associated, suggesting the presence of domestic transmission. Owning a greater number of domestic animals (prevalence ratio adjusted for all measured factors [aPR], 1.52) and living near crop fields (aPR, 7.77) were associated with an increased likelihood of household seropositivity. Our findings are consistent with the literature in Colombia, uncovering a suspected region where the disease is endemic. Future studies are warranted to continue defining high-risk areas to determine public health intervention plans.
摘要:
全球滴答传播的疾病负担正在增加,主要影响农村和脆弱社区。在最重要的新兴tick传播病原体中,有斑点热组(SFGR)中的立克次体物种,因为它们具有遗传多样性和高致死率。尽管没有报告的疾病,哥伦比亚仍受到SFGR的严重影响;因此,研究和临床管理被忽视。尽管一些部门显示出很高的血清阳性率,在其他方面,比如博亚卡省,血清阳性率未知。自1943年以来,在Boyacá就没有描述立克次体病,与当地医生的对话引起了人们对该部门某些农村地区最近与立克次体病相容的未诊断疾病的怀疑,保证流行病学调查。使用来自Miraflores市先前2021年媒介传播疾病研究的生物样本,Boyacá,我们有机会发掘SFGR在该地区的暴露。使用针对SFGR的IgG间接荧光测定法对样品进行评估,并通过评估相关因素的调查问卷进行补充。研究结果在Boyacá首次获得了SFGR血清学证据,狗的血清阳性率为26.5%,人类为20.4%。人和狗的血清价值呈正相关,表明存在国内传播。拥有更多数量的家畜(针对所有测量因素调整的患病率比率[aPR],1.52)和住在农田附近(aPR,7.77)与家庭血清阳性的可能性增加有关。我们的发现与哥伦比亚的文献一致,发现该疾病流行的可疑地区。未来的研究有必要继续定义高风险区域,以确定公共卫生干预计划。