title: Rickettsia parkeri Rickettsiosis, Arizona, USA.
abstract: In the United States, all previously reported cases of Rickettsia parkeri rickettsiosis have been linked to transmission by the Gulf Coast tick (Amblyomma maculatum). Here we describe 1 confirmed and 1 probable case of R. parkeri rickettsiosis acquired in a mountainous region of southern Arizona, well beyond the recognized geographic range of A. maculatum ticks. The likely vector for these 2 infections was identified as the Amblyomma triste tick, a Neotropical species only recently recognized in the United States. Identification of R. parkeri rickettsiosis in southern Arizona demonstrates a need for local ecologic and epidemiologic assessments to better understand geographic distribution and define public health risk. Education and outreach aimed at persons recreating or working in this region of southern Arizona would improve awareness and promote prevention of tickborne rickettsioses.
authors.forename: Kristen L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Herrick
authors.forename: Sandra A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Pena
authors.forename: Hayley D
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Yaglom
authors.forename: Brent J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Layton
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Moors
authors.forename: Amanda D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Loftis
authors.forename: Marah E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Condit
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Singleton
authors.forename: Cecilia Y
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Kato
authors.forename: Amy M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Denison
authors.forename: Dianna
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.forename: James W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Mertins
authors.forename: Christopher D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Paddock
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001130:Arizona / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005798:Genes, Bacterial; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012281:Rickettsia / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics; D012282:Rickettsia Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000635:transmission; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D064927:Tick Bites; D017282:Tick-Borne Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000635:transmission; D013987:Ticks / Q000382:microbiology
keywords: Amblyomma maculatum; Amblyomma triste; Arizona; Rickettsia parkeri; bacteria; bacterial infection; eschar; rickettsial; rickettsiosis; ticks; vector-borne infections