History of U.S. military contributions to the study of rickettsial diseases.
Rickettsial diseases have affected the military throughout history. Efforts such as those of the Joint U.S. Typhus Commission near the beginning of World War II and of military researchers since have reduced the impact of these diseases on U.S. and Allied forces. Despite the postwar development of effective antibiotic therapies, the newly emerging antibiotic-resistant scrub typhus rickettsial strains of the Asian Pacific region mandate continued research and surveillance. Similarly, tick-infested training areas in the United States and similar exposure abroad render the spotted fevers and the ehrlichioses problematic to deployed troops. The military continues to work on countermeasures to control the arthropod vectors, as well as actively participating in the development of rapid accurate diagnostic tests, vaccines, and improved surveillance methods. Several rickettsial diseases, including epidemic typhus, scrub typhus, the ehrlichioses, and the spotted fevers, are reviewed, with emphasis on the military historical significance and contributions.
Bavaro
Mary F
MF
Naval Medical Center San Diego, San Diego, CA 92134, USA.
Kelly
Daryl J
DJ
Dasch
Gregory A
GA
Hale
Braden R
BR
Olson
Patrick
P
D000818:Animals; D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000266:history; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000266:history*; D008887:Military Medicine / Q000266:history*; D012282:Rickettsia Infections / Q000266:history*; D014481:United States