Rickettsia rickettsii
Rickettsia rickettsii (rih-KET-see-uh rih-KET-see-eye) is a gram-negative, obligate intracellular parasite that causes Rocky Mountain spotted fever. This bacterium is the most pathogenic of the group, causing the most severe disease.
Etymology
The genus Rickettsia is named after Howard Taylor Ricketts, an American pathologist, and the species rickettsii is named for its discoverer. Ricketts identified and studied the bacterium while researching Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
Characteristics
Rickettsia rickettsii is a small, rod-shaped bacterium that can only survive inside the cells of its host. It is unable to live freely in the environment. The bacterium is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected tick.
Disease
The bacterium causes Rocky Mountain spotted fever, a potentially fatal human illness. Symptoms include fever, headache, abdominal pain, vomiting, and muscle pain. A rash may also develop, but is often absent in the early stages of disease.
Treatment
Treatment for Rocky Mountain spotted fever is typically with the antibiotic doxycycline. If treated early, the prognosis is good. However, if left untreated, the disease can be severe or fatal.
Prevention
Prevention of Rocky Mountain spotted fever primarily involves avoiding tick bites. This can be achieved through the use of insect repellents, wearing long sleeves and pants, and checking for ticks after being in wooded or grassy areas.
See also
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