Risk Factors for Spotted Fever Group Rickettsioses in Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Knowledge gaps exist on risk factors for spotted fever group rickettsioses (SFGR) in sub-Saharan Africa. We sought to identify SFGR risk factors in Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania.

Methods

We recruited febrile patients presenting at 2 hospitals in Moshi from February 2012 through May 2014. Standardized clinical and risk factor questionnaires were administered. SFGR exposure was defined as a Rickettsia africae immunofluorescence antibody reciprocal titer ≥64, and acute SFGR as a ≥4-fold rise between paired sera. Logistic regression was used to identify associations.

Results

Of 1190 participants providing ≥1 serum sample, the median age was 21.8 (range, 0.3-100.2) years, 646 (54.3%) were female, and 650 (54.6%) had SFGR exposure. Of 731 participants with

SUBMITTER: Bowhay TR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11651152 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature