Rickettsia akari

Rickettsia akari is a species of bacteria in the genus Rickettsia. It is the causative agent of Rickettsialpox, a mild disease that is transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected mite.

Taxonomy

Rickettsia akari is a member of the genus Rickettsia, which belongs to the family Rickettsiaceae in the order Rickettsiales. The genus Rickettsia is divided into four groups: the spotted fever group, the typhus group, the ancestral group, and the transitional group. Rickettsia akari belongs to the spotted fever group.

Morphology

Like all Rickettsia species, Rickettsia akari is a small, Gram-negative bacterium. It is rod-shaped and measures approximately 0.3 to 0.5 micrometers in diameter and 0.8 to 2.0 micrometers in length.

Pathogenesis

Rickettsia akari is the causative agent of Rickettsialpox, a disease that is characterized by a rash, fever, and a general feeling of discomfort or malaise. The disease is transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected mite, specifically the house mouse mite (Liponyssoides sanguineus).

Epidemiology

Rickettsialpox is a rare disease that occurs primarily in urban areas. It was first identified in New York City in the 1940s and has since been reported in several other cities in the United States and around the world.

Treatment and Prevention

Rickettsialpox is typically treated with doxycycline, a type of antibiotic. Prevention of the disease involves controlling mite populations and avoiding contact with mites.

See Also

• Rickettsia rickettsii
• Rickettsia conorii
• Rickettsia prowazekii