An update on spotted fever group serology in Kerman Province, Iran. (September 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Qorbani, Ali; Khalili, Mohammad; Nourollahifard, Saeidreza; Mostafavi, Ehsan; Farrokhnia, Mehrdad; Esmaeili, Saber
• Is Part Of: Comparative immunology, microbiology and infectious diseases. Volume 88(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-09
• Subjects: Mediterranean spotted fever -- Rickettsia conorii -- Tick-borne diseases -- Zoonosis -- Rickettsial diseases -- Iran; Communicable diseases in animals -- Periodicals; Veterinary immunology -- Periodicals; Veterinary microbiology -- Periodicals; Immunology -- Periodicals; Microbiology -- Periodicals; Communicable diseases -- Periodicals; Communicable Diseases -- immunology -- Periodicals; Communicable Diseases -- veterinary -- Periodicals; Allergy and Immunology -- Periodicals; Microbiology -- Periodicals; Veterinary Medicine -- Periodicals; Immunologie -- Périodiques; Microbiologie -- Périodiques; Maladies infectieuses -- Périodiques; Communicable diseases; Immunology; Microbiology; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 636.08969
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2022.101862
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0147-9571

Abstract

Abstract: Rickettsia conorii is the causative agent of Mediterranean spotted fever (MSF) and reports of its geographical distribution are spreading every day. Recently, some cases of the MSF have been reported from Iran. However, little information is available about the MSF epidemiology in Iran. The aim of the current study was to investigate anti- R. conorii IgG seroprevalence among farmers living in the rural regions of Kerman province (in southeastern Iran). In this study, 281 blood samples were collected from farmers in Zarand and Jiroft counties and tested for detection of anti- R. conorii IgG antibodies using the ELISA method. Among the 281 samples, 14 farmers (4.98%, CI 95%; 2.45–7.55%) had anti- R. conorii IgG antibodies. Seroprevalence of MSF in Zarand and Jiroft counties were 4.58% and 5.33%, respectively. The serological evidence of this study indicates the seroprevalence of R. conorii in rural areas of the Kerman province of Iran. So, it is recommended that the Iranian health care system pay attention to the MSF. Highlights: This is the first serosurvey on Mediterranean Spotted Fever serology in Iran. The serological evidence of this study indicates the circulation of R. conorii in rural areas of the Southeast Iran. Our findings indicates that the circulation of R. conorii is not dependent on age, gender and geographical location.