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. 2025 Jan 8:153:e21.
doi: 10.1017/S0950268824001894.

SFG and TG seropositivity in Humans suspected of TBD in Yucatan, Mexico

Karla Rossanet Dzul Rosado  1 , Carlos Aaron Peña Bates  2 , Martin Raúl Tello  1 , Henry R Noh-Pech  1 , Fernando I Puerto  1 , Oghenekaro Omodior  3
Affiliations

SFG and TG seropositivity in Humans suspected of TBD in Yucatan, Mexico

Karla Rossanet Dzul Rosado et al. Epidemiol Infect. .

Abstract

Since 1996, the incidence of rickettsiosis has been increasing in Yucatán, Mexico, but recent prevalence data are lacking. This study aimed to determine exposure to the Spotted Fever Group (SFG) and Typhus Group (TG) in human serum samples suspected of tick-borne diseases (TBD) between 2015 and 2022. A total of 620 samples were analysed using indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) to detect IgG antibodies against SFG (Rickettsia rickettsii) and TG (Rickettsia typhi), considering a titer of ≥64 as positive. Results showed that 103 samples (17%) were positive for R. rickettsii and 145 (24%) for R. typhi, while 256 (41%) and 229 (37%) were negative, respectively. There was a cross-reaction in 244 samples (39%). Individuals with contact with vectors, such as ticks, showed significant exposure to fleas (p = 0.0010). The study suggests a high prevalence of rickettsiosis and recommends prospective studies to assess the disease burden and strengthen surveillance and prevention in Yucatán, considering factors like temperature and ecological changes.

Keywords: Rickettsiosis; Yucatan; flea; tick-borne diseases; typhus; vectors.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Distribution expressed as a percentage of the subjects included in the study for each year.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Representation of antibodies and positive human serum samples according to titer with respect to rickettsia species. The graph represents the proportion of seropositive patients in the titers evaluated in the Rickettsia typhi, Rickettsia rickettsii and cross-reaction slides.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Representation of the percentage of human serum samples according to the age ranges evaluated to determine their exposure to the different vectors. The differences in all age ranges between ticks and fleas are significant; on the other hand, there is a significant value when comparing the groups exposed to ticks and the fleas and ticks set. Statistical analysis was performed using the Kruskal-Wallis test and corrected by the Dunns test to compare between groups. ***p < 0.001 and *p < 0.05.
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