Rickettsiaceae

Rickettsiaceae is a family of bacteria. It belongs to the order Rickettsiales and class Alphaproteobacteria. The family includes notable genera such as Rickettsia, Orientia, and Ehrlichia. These bacteria are generally obligate intracellular parasites that infect eukaryotic cells.

Taxonomy

The family Rickettsiaceae is divided into two tribes: Rickettsieae and Ehrlichieae. The tribe Rickettsieae includes the genera Rickettsia and Orientia, while the tribe Ehrlichieae includes the genera Ehrlichia and Anaplasma.

Characteristics

Members of the Rickettsiaceae family are small, Gram-negative bacteria. They are obligate intracellular parasites, meaning they can only survive and reproduce within the cells of their host. They are typically transmitted to humans and other animals through the bite of an infected arthropod, such as a tick, flea, or louse.

Pathogenesis

Rickettsiaceae bacteria are responsible for a number of serious diseases in humans, including Rocky Mountain spotted fever, typhus, and ehrlichiosis. These diseases are typically characterized by fever, headache, and rash, and can be fatal if not treated promptly with antibiotics.

Treatment and Prevention

The primary treatment for diseases caused by Rickettsiaceae bacteria is antibiotics, particularly doxycycline. Prevention strategies include avoiding areas where the arthropod vectors are common, using insect repellents, and promptly removing any attached ticks.

See Also

• Rickettsia rickettsii
• Rickettsia prowazekii
• Orientia tsutsugamushi
• Ehrlichia chaffeensis