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Pathogens
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New Insights into Rickettsia and Related Organisms
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New Insights into Rickettsia and Related Organisms

A special issue of Pathogens (ISSN 2076-0817). This special issue belongs to the section "Bacterial Pathogens".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 June 2025 | Viewed by 3973

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Alison Luce-Fedrow

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Biology, Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania, Shippensburg, PA 7257, USA
Interests: Rickettsia; Orientia; Ehrlichia; ectoparasites; immunology
Dr. Kristin E. Mullins

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Pathology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
Interests: Rickettsia; Bartonella; vector borne diseases; clinical diagnostics

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The causative agents of rickettsial (and related) diseases (including Rickettsia, Orientia, Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, and Coxiella) have historically plagued both civilian and military populations due to the cosmopolitan distribution of their associated vectors (ticks, fleas, mites, and lice).  Similarly, vector-transmitted microbes such as Borrelia, Babesia, and Bartonella are also capable of causing infections in humans/animals, which can be chronic and difficult to treat. Among the aforementioned micro-organisms, new species are consistently being described, detection is being reported beyond regions of endemicity, antibiotic-resistant strains have emerged, and the responsible vector populations have experienced shifting patterns due to environmental/climatic changes.  Moreover, the “flu-like” nature of these diseases can lead to potential delays in diagnosis/treatment, resulting in detriments to the patient.  Despite a wealth of ongoing advances geared towards better understanding these vector-borne pathogens, additional research is needed to explicitly refine the knowledge surrounding details such as host–microbe relationships, virulence mechanisms, genomics, genetic manipulation, immunological processes, vector populations/dynamics, model development, and microbe–microbe interactions.  It is the combination of these research outcomes that will ultimately boost our ongoing quest to develop superior diagnostic/therapeutic tools and will lead to the development of broadly protective vaccines.  The collaborative efforts of scientists worldwide are imperative to mitigate the global disease burden associated with these challenging microbes. 

Consequently, for this Special Issue, we invite manuscripts dedicated to all facets of research concerning Rickettsia, Orientia, Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, Coxiella, Borrelia, Babesia, and Bartonella.  We look forward to your submission(s) and continuing to be part of the collaborative community of Rickettsia (and related diseases) research. 

Dr. Alison Luce-Fedrow
Dr. Kristin E. Mullins
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Pathogens is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Rickettsia
  • Orientia
  • Ehrlichia
  • Anaplasma
  • Coxiella
  • Borrelia
  • Bartonella
  • Babesia

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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15 pages, 2319 KiB  
Article
Spatial Distribution of Equid Exposure to Rickettsia spp. in Goiás State, Midwestern Brazil
by Gracielle Teles Pádua, Mariana Avelar Tavares, Nicolas Jalowitzki de Lima, Warley Vieira de Freitas Paula, Gabriel Cândido dos Santos, Lucianne Cardoso Neves, Raphaela Bueno Mendes Bittencourt, Raquel Loren dos Reis Paludo, Ennya Rafaella Neves Cardoso, Bianca Barbara Fonseca da Silva, Bruno Rodrigues de Pádua, Ana Carolina Borsanelli, Filipe Dantas-Torres, Gina Paola Polo and Felipe da Silva Krawczak
Pathogens 2025, 14(5), 449; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens14050449 - 2 May 2025
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Abstract
This study sought to investigate the presence of anti-Rickettsia spp. antibodies in georeferenced serum samples from equids across all regions of the state of Goiás, while also presenting variables that indicate risk factors for the circulation of rickettsiae, and evaluating the presence [...] Read more.
This study sought to investigate the presence of anti-Rickettsia spp. antibodies in georeferenced serum samples from equids across all regions of the state of Goiás, while also presenting variables that indicate risk factors for the circulation of rickettsiae, and evaluating the presence of rickettsial DNA in ticks collected from equids and the surrounding environment in the municipalities of Uruaçu and Porangatu, located in the northern region of the state. A total of 1156 equid serum samples provided by the Goiás Agricultural Defense Agency (Agrodefesa) were analyzed for antibodies against 4 Rickettsia antigens. Additionally, 39 blood samples were collected from equids during a 3-day field expedition in January 2024, alongside 938 ticks collected from both animals and the environment. In total, 297 adult ticks were randomly selected for molecular analysis and tested by qPCR targeting the rickettsial gltA gene. Positive samples were further analyzed using cPCR to target the ompA and gltA genes. Results revealed that 9.6% (111/1156) of the serum samples were seroreactive to at least one Rickettsia antigen. Among these, 36% had antibodies against Rickettsia rickettsii, 18.9% against Rickettsia parkeri, 69.4% against Rickettsia amblyommatis, and 14.4% against Rickettsia bellii. Furthermore, the possible antigen responsible for a homologous reaction was found in 3.6% of equids for R. rickettsii, and in the same proportion for R. bellii, while 23.4% of animals showed antibodies for R. amblyommatis, and none exhibited a homologous reaction to R. parkeri. Meanwhile, 28.2% of the serum samples collected during the field expedition had antibodies against R. amblyommatis, with 72.7% identifying R. amblyommatis as the antigen involved in the homologous reaction. In the logistic regression analysis, the variables of education level, altitude below 500 m, and presence of female mules demonstrated a positive effect on seropositivity. Ticks from animals were identified as Amblyomma cajennense sensu lato, Amblyomma sculptum, Dermacentor nitens, and Rhipicephalus microplus, while environmental ticks were identified as A. cajennense s.l., A. sculptum, and Amblyomma nodosum. In the qPCR assays, two specimens of A. cajennense s.l., one of A. sculptum, and one of D. nitens amplified a fragment of the gltA gene. Of these, one A. cajennense s.l. specimen amplified a fragment of both the ompA and gltA genes, and one A. sculptum specimen amplified a fragment of the gltA gene through conventional PCR. Sequencing confirmed the detection of R. amblyommatis. These findings highlight the presence of anti-Rickettsia spp. antibodies in equid serum samples from all regions of the state of Goiás, emphasizing the important role of equids as sentinels for Rickettsia spp. To our knowledge, this study represents the largest effort to detect anti-Rickettsia spp. antibodies in equid serum samples in Brazil. Additionally, it is the first nationwide investigation of its kind conducted in collaboration with the Agricultural Defense Agency (Agrodefesa), serving as a significant example of the One Health approach. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights into Rickettsia and Related Organisms)
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9 pages, 2179 KiB  
Article
Rickettsia asembonensis Isolated from Four Human Cases with Acute Undifferentiated Febrile Illness in Peru
by Steev Loyola, Rosa Palacios-Salvatierra, Omar Cáceres-Rey and Allen L. Richards
Pathogens 2024, 13(6), 489; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens13060489 - 8 Jun 2024
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1992
Abstract
Rickettsioses, often underreported, pose public health challenges. Rickettsia asembonensis is a potential emerging pathogen that was previously detected in humans, animals, and a variety of arthropods. While its pathogenicity in humans remains unclear, it poses a potential public health threat. Here, we present an [...] Read more.
Rickettsioses, often underreported, pose public health challenges. Rickettsia asembonensis is a potential emerging pathogen that was previously detected in humans, animals, and a variety of arthropods. While its pathogenicity in humans remains unclear, it poses a potential public health threat. Here, we present an extended epidemiological, diagnostic, and genetic analysis of the information provided in a preliminary report on the investigation of rickettsiae in Peru. In particular, we report the detection of R. asembonensis in blood specimens collected from four human patients with an acute undifferentiated fever of a seven- to nine-day duration, all of whom tested negative for other vector-borne pathogens. Additionally, we describe the replicative capacity of the R. asembonensis isolates in cell cultures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights into Rickettsia and Related Organisms)
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9 pages, 1917 KiB  
Case Report
Scrub Typhus and Influenza A Co-Infection: A Case Report
by Chie Yamamoto, Ayano Maruyama, Jun Munakata, Tasuku Matsuyama, Keitaro Furukawa, Ryosuke Hamashima, Motohiko Ogawa, Yuki Hashimoto, Akiko Fukuda, Tohru Inaba and Yoko Nukui
Pathogens 2025, 14(1), 64; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens14010064 - 13 Jan 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1140
Abstract
Scrub typhus, caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi, is a neglected and reemerging disease that causes considerable morbidity and mortality. It now extends beyond the Tsutsugamushi Triangle, the region wherein it has traditionally been endemic. Influenza has also resurged since the infection control measures [...] Read more.
Scrub typhus, caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi, is a neglected and reemerging disease that causes considerable morbidity and mortality. It now extends beyond the Tsutsugamushi Triangle, the region wherein it has traditionally been endemic. Influenza has also resurged since the infection control measures against COVID-19 were relaxed. A few cases of scrub typhus and influenza co-infection have been reported. Herein, we report the case of a 74-year-old woman with fever and upper respiratory symptoms diagnosed with influenza A and treated with oseltamivir; however, her fever persisted, and she developed respiratory failure, liver dysfunction, headache, diarrhea, and an erythematous skin rash. She lived in a forested area where scrub typhus was endemic and worked on a farm. Physical examination revealed an eschar on her posterior neck, and she was diagnosed with scrub typhus and influenza A co-infection. After minocycline treatment, her symptoms improved within a few days. This is the first reported case of scrub typhus and influenza A co-infection in Japan. This case illustrates that co-infection should be suspected in patients with fever persisting after their initial infection has been treated and that in patients living in endemic areas, scrub typhus can occur concurrently with influenza. The symptoms of scrub typhus are flu-like and nonspecific, which may delay diagnosis and treatment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights into Rickettsia and Related Organisms)
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