Teoh Yen Thon, Hii Sze Fui, Stevenson Mark A, Graves Stephen, Rees Robert, Stenos John, Traub Rebecca J
Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia.
The Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory, University Hospital, Geelong, VIC, 3220, Australia.
Parasit Vectors. 2017 Mar 13;10(1):129. doi: 10.1186/s13071-017-2075-y.
Rickettsia felis and Rickettsia typhi are emerging arthropod-borne zoonoses causing fever and flu-like symptoms. Seroprevalence and risk factors associated with exposure to these organisms was explored in Australian veterinarians.
One hundred and thirty-one veterinarians from across Australia were recruited to participate in a cross-sectional survey. Veterinarians provided a single blood sample and answered a questionnaire on potential risk factors influencing their exposure to R. felis and R. typhi. Indirect microimmunofluorescence antibody testing (IFAT) was used to identify evidence of serological exposure of the participants to R. felis and R. typhi. Results were analyzed and a logistical regression model performed to predict risk factors associated with seropositivity.
In total, 16.0% of participants were seropositive to R. felis, 4.6% to R. typhi and 35.1% seropositive to both, where cross-reactivity of the IFAT between R. felis and R. typhi precluded a definitive diagnosis. Veterinarians residing within the south-eastern states of Victoria and Tasmania were at a higher risk of exposure to R. felis or generalised R. felis or R. typhi exposure. Older veterinarians and those that recommended flea treatment to their clients were found to be significantly protected from exposure.
The high exposure to R. felis amongst veterinary professionals suggests that flea-borne spotted fever is an important cause of undifferentiated fever conditions that may not be adequately recognized in Australia.
猫立克次体病和鼠型斑疹伤寒是新出现的节肢动物传播的人畜共患病，可引起发热和流感样症状。本研究在澳大利亚兽医中探讨了与接触这些病原体相关的血清阳性率及危险因素。
招募了来自澳大利亚各地的131名兽医参与一项横断面调查。兽医提供一份血样，并回答一份关于影响其接触猫立克次体和鼠型斑疹伤寒的潜在危险因素的问卷。采用间接微量免疫荧光抗体检测（IFAT）来确定参与者血清学接触猫立克次体和鼠型斑疹伤寒的证据。对结果进行分析，并进行逻辑回归模型以预测与血清阳性相关的危险因素。
总体而言，16.0%的参与者对猫立克次体血清呈阳性，4.6%对鼠型斑疹伤寒血清呈阳性，35.1%对两者血清均呈阳性，由于猫立克次体和鼠型斑疹伤寒之间IFAT的交叉反应性，无法做出明确诊断。居住在维多利亚州和塔斯马尼亚州东南部的兽医接触猫立克次体或同时接触猫立克次体和鼠型斑疹伤寒的风险更高。发现年龄较大的兽医以及那些向客户推荐跳蚤治疗的兽医接触感染的风险显著降低。
兽医专业人员中猫立克次体的高暴露率表明，跳蚤传播的斑点热是澳大利亚未分化发热疾病的一个重要原因，可能未得到充分认识。
