Tropical Rickettsial Infections

Abstract

Tropical rickettsial illnesses are severely neglected infectious diseases with a worldwide distribution. These diseases are transmitted by various vectors (mites, ticks, fleas, etc.) and are responsible for a large burden of disease in both rural and urban populations, especially in the tropical and subtropical regions of low- and middle-income countries. In this chapter, we provide an overview of the convoluted and fascinating history of these rickettsial illnesses, an updated description of the current worldwide distribution, detail the major issues related to the pathogenesis and immunity, and describe in detail the various disease forms and their associated pathogens in the context of clinical relevance.