Ricettsioses studies. 2. Natural foci of rickettsioses in east Slovakia

Abstract

Natural foci of Q fever and of spotted fever group rickettsiae in the Kosice district of east Slovakia are described and discussed. It was established that the natural focus of Q fever was a secondary one. Cattle were observed to be the main source of human infection and a high proportion of synanthropic rodents was found to be infested with Coxiella burnetii. The natural focus of spotted fever group rickettsiae was shown to be of a primary character, such rickettsiae circulating among ticks and small mammals. It is suggested that natural foci of spotted fever group rickettsiae in east Slovakia may be connected with the natural distribution of Dermacentor ticks.