Molecular Confirmation of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever Epidemic Agent in Mexicali, Mexico

Abstract

Since 2008, a large epidemic of Rocky Mountain spotted fever has been emerging among humans and dogs in Mexicali, adjacent to the United States in Baja California, Mexico. We molecularly confirmed the causative agent; this information can be used to study the origin and dynamics of the epidemic.

Keywords

• emerging infectious disease
• Rhipicephalus sanguineus
• Rickettsia rickettsii
• tick-borne disease
• rickettsia
• bacteria