Mediterranean Spotted Fever and Other Spotted Fever Group Rickettsial Infections' Pathogenesis

Abstract

Rickettsiae are obligate intracellular bacteria. They have a life cycle between mammals and arthropod vectors. They need intracellular energy to survive. Macrophages are the first target cells of infection. With lymphatics, it spreads to the lymph node and then to the whole body via the hematogenous pathway. It has high affinity for vein, small artery and capillary endothelial cells. They cause vasculitis, the main lesion, by activating the immune system elements in the infected cell. The literature on several human spotted fever group rickettsiae is frequently confusing because of clinical appearance. Therefore, research on the pathogenesis of the disease continues. © 2022 by Nova Science Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved.