Epidemiology and diagnosis of colorado tick fever
Diseases Transmitted by Ticks, NOVA Publications , ss.261-270, 2021
- Yayın Türü: Kitapta Bölüm / Araştırma Kitabı
- Basım Tarihi: 2021
- Yayınevi: NOVA Publications
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.261-270
- Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Colorado tick fever (CTF) is a self-limited systemic disease characterized by acute onset, biphasic fever caused by the CTF virus (CTFV), a genus of Coltivirus. CTFV is transmitted by the adult Rocky Mountain wood tick (Dermacentor andersoni) found in the highlands of the western United States (USA) and southwestern Canada. Infections are more common in the summer when ticks are active. These ticks are especially found in bushes at higher elevations. Activities carried out in the bush area are a risk factor, hence increasing the risk of infection. Although CTFV is seen in the distribution area of this tick, sporadic cases have been detected, except for the endemic region, because of tourists visiting this region. A drastic change in the incidence of CTF disease has been observed, which tends to decrease. Before the 1980s, approximately 200-400 cases were reported in the USA, especially in the state of Colorado, but now this has decreased to 7-10 cases. The disease is mostly overcome with flu-like symptoms, but complications rarely develop. Therefore, patients do not apply to the health institution, or the diagnosis is often missed by the clinician. Diagnosis is made by serological tests, molecular tests, cell culture, direct fluorescent antibody, or animal inoculation tests together with clinical diagnosis.