title: [Rickettsia helvetica: an emerging tick-borne pathogen in Hungary and Europe].
abstract: Rickettsia helvetica belonging to spotted fever group rickettsiae was recently detected by polymerase chain reaction followed by sequencing in European sheep ticks (Ixodes ricinus) from Hungary. Current knowledge on these rickettsiae and the clinical and diagnostic aspects of R. helvetica infection is summarized. In acute cases, R. helvetica is generally responsible for flu-like symptoms. Nevertheless, recent data indicate that in chronic cases, these rickettsiae can be responsible for perimyocarditis resulting sudden cardiac death and might play a role in the pathogenesis of aortic valve disease. The diagnosis can be based on serological, molecular and histological methods. A summary of the information available from Hungary and neighbouring countries on the prevalence of tick-borne encephalitis virus, Anaplasma, Borrelia, Francisella, Rickettsia and Babesia infections in I. ricinus is also presented.
authors.affiliation: Országos Allategészségügyi Intézet, Bakteriológiai Fosztály. sretert@oai.hu
authors.forename: Tamás
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sréter
authors.forename: Zsuzsanna
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Sréterné Lancz
authors.forename: Zoltán
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Széll
authors.forename: László
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Egyed
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003870:Dermacentor / Q000472:pathogenicity; D004675:Encephalitis, Tick-Borne / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D006814:Hungary / Q000453:epidemiology; D018884:Ixodes / Q000472:pathogenicity; D008193:Lyme Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D012281:Rickettsia / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D012282:Rickettsia Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy; D012373:Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D017282:Tick-Borne Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy