Rickettsia conorii
Rickettsia conorii
Rickettsia conorii (pronounced: rik-et-see-uh kuh-nor-ee-eye) is a Gram-negative, obligate intracellular bacterium that is the causative agent of Mediterranean spotted fever. This bacterium is a member of the genus Rickettsia, named after the American pathologist Howard Taylor Ricketts, who studied these organisms in the early 20th century.
Etymology
The species name conorii is derived from the name of the Irish physician Conor O'Mahony, who first identified the bacterium as the cause of Mediterranean spotted fever in 1910.
Description
Rickettsia conorii is a small, rod-shaped bacterium that is unable to survive outside of a host cell. It is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected tick, specifically the brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus). Once inside the host, the bacterium invades the endothelial cells lining the blood vessels, causing inflammation and damage.
Symptoms and Treatment
Infection with Rickettsia conorii can cause a range of symptoms, including fever, headache, muscle pain, and a characteristic rash. The disease can be severe, particularly in elderly patients, and can sometimes be fatal if not treated promptly. Treatment typically involves the use of antibiotics, such as Doxycycline or Chloramphenicol.
Related Terms
- Rickettsia rickettsii: Another species of Rickettsia that causes Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
- Rickettsia prowazekii: The causative agent of epidemic typhus.
- Rickettsia typhi: The bacterium responsible for murine typhus.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Rickettsia conorii
- Wikipedia's article - Rickettsia conorii
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