VBA - Rickettsia Rickettsi (Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever) Flashcards
1
Q
Morphhology
A
Gram Negative
2
Q
Classification/Diagnosis
A
N/A (intracellular)
3
Q
Pathology
A
obligate intracellular pathogen
Deposited on human skin as tick feeds, enters as host scratches, uptake by vascular endothelial cells, cell-cell spreading using actin, damages cell membranes, leakage of RBCs
4
Q
Epidemiology
A
Vector is tick (Dermacentor), reservoirs are rodents
Most cases in summer
5
Q
Diseases/Symptoms
A
sudden headaches, fevers, chills, muscle aches
“spotted” red rash from periphery to trunk
6
Q
Treatment/Vaccination
A
tetracycline
chloramphenicol (pregnant women and children)
fluoroquinalones
Prevent by wearing protective clothing, using insect repellant
