title: [Clinical approach and main tick-borne rickettsiosis present in Latin America].
abstract: Tick-borne rickettsial diseases are potentially life threatening infections that in Latin America have an emerging and reemerging character. Until few years ago, Rickettsia rickettsia was the only tick-borne rickettsia present in America; but nowadays several other species such as R. parkeri and R. massiliae are causing disease in humans in the region. In addition, new species are being described; although their pathogenicity has not been confirmed they should be considered as potential pathogens. Since the microbiological diagnosis of rickettsioses can take days or weeks, a high clinical suspicion and early start of appropriate treatment are crucial. In this review the distribution and main clinical manifestations of tick-borne rickettsial diseases in Latin America are detailed. Since R. felis has been found in ticks and the role of this vector has not been clarified, we have included a section about this pathogen.
authors.forename: Katia
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Abarca
authors.forename: José A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Oteo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D007843:Latin America; D012281:Rickettsia / Q000145:classification* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012282:Rickettsia Infections / Q000145:classification* / Q000382:microbiology; D017282:Tick-Borne Diseases / Q000145:classification* / Q000382:microbiology; D013987:Ticks / Q000382:microbiology*