Regional Center of State Sanitary and Epidemiological Surveillance, Astrakhan; Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, Moscow, Russia
Astrakhan rickettsial spotted fever (ARSF) is an endemic tick-borne rickettsiosis, first detected in the North Caspian region. 2,426 cases of this disease were registered during the period of 1983 — 2002; more than 70% these patients were rural dwellers. Among urban dwellers ARSF cases were mainly linked with their journeys into the country: to summer cottages and kitchen- gardens, fishing expeditions, etc. The causative agent of ARSF was found to belong to the serological group “conorii complex”. The reservoir and the only proved vector of this disease were Ixodes ticks of the species Rhipicephalus pumilio. The mosaic character of the spread of ARSF morbidity throughout the territory of the Astrakhan region was determined by diversity of landscapes forming conditions for the survival of ticks in the environment. The peak of seasonal ARSF morbidity was registered in June — August (58.1%), the period when ticks in the juvenile phase exhibited the highest biological activity.
Zh. Mikrobiol. (Moscow), 2005, No. 4, Supplement, P. 71—73