Publication: Rickettsial infections: A blind spot in our view of neglected tropical diseases
Issued Date
2021-05-01
Resource Type
ISSN
19352735
19352727
19352727
Other identifier(s)
2-s2.0-85105904540
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Mahidol University
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SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases. Vol.15, No.5 (2021)
Suggested Citation
Jeanne Salje, Thomas Weitzel, Paul N. Newton, George M. Varghese, Nicholas Day Rickettsial infections: A blind spot in our view of neglected tropical diseases. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases. Vol.15, No.5 (2021). doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0009353 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/78238
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Title
Rickettsial infections: A blind spot in our view of neglected tropical diseases
Abstract
Rickettsial diseases are a group of vector-borne bacterial infections that cause acute febrile illness with potentially severe or fatal complications. These vector-borne diseases are prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide and disproportionately affect poorer communities but are scientifically underrecognized. Despite this, they are not included in the World Health Organization’s list of neglected tropical diseases nor were they mentioned in Peter Hotez’s recent reflections on “What constitutes a neglected tropical disease?” in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases [1]. Here we present the case that rickettsial infections, as an overlooked cause of morbidity, mortality, and economic losses in marginalized populations, should be recognized as neglected tropical diseases. We describe how this oversight is the result of a number of factors and how it negatively impacts patient outcomes. We then propose measures to address the neglect of rickettsial infections in both scientific research and public health interventions.