Rickettsial spotted fever in Tasmania

Chin, R. H.; Jennens, Ian

doi:10.5694/j.1326-5377.1995.tb126063.x

Cited by 14 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…This work sheds new light on the geographical distribution of rickettsial infection in Tasmania. Previously cases of FISF in Tasmania have been described only on Flinders Island, 7 and Schouten Island off the Freycinet Peninsula on the east coast of Tasmania, 11 with one case of rickettsial infection, assumed to be R. honei , acquired on the Freycinet Peninsula or Maria Island, 15 an island further down the east coast (Figure 3). As the invertebrate host Bothriocroton hydrosauri is distributed throughout Tasmania, 20 it has been postulated that FISF is likely to be distributed more widely, but this is the first published evidence of cases likely acquired outside of these locations.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The existing literature on rickettsial infection in Tasmania describes cases of FISF on Flinders Island, one case on Schouten Island 11 and a case of rickettsiosis , assumed to be R. honei , acquired on the Freycinet Peninsula or Maria Island 15 . However, the geographical distribution and other epidemiological characteristics of rickettsial disease in Tasmania outside of Flinders Island are not well understood.…”

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New and old hotspots for rickettsial spotted fever acquired in Tasmania, 2012–2017

Willis

Lodo²,

McGregor

et al. 2019

Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health

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Objective: To describe the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of Tasmania-acquired rickettsial disease notified to the Department of Health in Tasmania from 2012 to 2017 inclusive.Methods: Data on rickettsiosis cases acquired and notified in Tasmania between 1 January 2012 and 31 December 2017 were analysed descriptively.Results: Eighteen cases of rickettsial infection notified in Tasmania 2012-17 and likely acquired in the state met one of three case definitions: 12 confirmed (67%), four probable (22%), and two possible (11%). The mean number of cases per year was 3.0 (population rate 0.6 per 100,000 population/year); 60% of cases occurred in November and December. Cases were more commonly older males. Fever, lethargy, and rash were commonly reported symptoms. Thirteen cases were likely acquired on Flinders Island, three around Great Oyster Bay and two in the Midlands. Conclusions:This study extends our knowledge of the epidemiology of rickettsial disease in Tasmania. This is the first account including confirmed cases acquired in the Midlands of Tasmania.Implications for public health: Increased knowledge and awareness of epidemiology of rickettsial infection in Tasmania is essential for timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment. These findings bear wider relevance outside Tasmania because visitors may also be at risk.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

New and old hotspots for rickettsial spotted fever acquired in Tasmania, 2012–2017

Willis

Lodo²,

McGregor

et al. 2019

Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health

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“…In 1995, a similar rickettsiosis emerged in Tasmania. Patients were found by PCR to be infected with R. honei 7. A. hydrosauri ticks were collected from reptiles in the area where the infections were thought to have been contracted.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ultrastructural and Genetic Evidence of a Reptilian Tick, Aponomma hydrosauri, as a Host of Rickettsia honei in Australia

Whitworth¹,

Popov²,

Han³

et al. 2003

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences

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In 1993, a novel rickettsia was isolated from the blood of inhabitants of Flinders Island, Australia, with acute febrile illnesses. This rickettsia was found to be a new species of spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsia, eventually named Rickettsia honei. The suspected ectoparasite vector of this rickettsia has yet to be identified. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the presence of this rickettsial species in a suspected tick vector, Aponomma hydrosauri, by DNA sequencing and electron microscopy (EM). Ticks collected from an Australian blue-tongued lizard on Flinders Island and a copperhead snake in Tasmania were demonstrated to be infected with R. honei by PCR, DNA sequencing, and EM. Rickettsiae were found in ultrathin sections of salivary glands, malpighian tubules, and midgut epithelial cells. In a previous study with a R. honei-infected tick from Flinders Island, rickettsiae were found in the nuclei of midgut epithelial cells, and EM also revealed the presence of rickettsiae in the cytosol of oocytes and immature eggs, suggesting transovarial transmission. These results implicate A. hydrosauri as a possible host of R. honei on Flinders Island and Tasmania and also provide evidence favoring transovarial maintenance of R. honei.

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“…The hosts for these tick vectors are mammals, including native rats and bandicoots 2 . Confirmed cases of R. honei infection, or Flinders Island spotted fever, have previously been described only on Flinders Island, in Bass Strait, 4 although a rickettsial spotted fever illness, possibly caused by R. honei , has also recently been reported from the east coast of Tasmania 5 . Recently published findings indicate that the parasitic tick Aponomma hydrosauri , which has a variety of reptile species as its hosts, may be the principal vector of R. honei 6 …”

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confidence: 98%