A CONTEMPORARY PERSPECTIVE ABOUT THE CLINICAL AND EPIDEMIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF BRAZILIAN SPOTTED FEVER

Abstract

Introduction: Brazilian Spotted Fever (BSF) is an infectious disease transmitted by ticks of the genus Amblyomma, whose main etiological agent is the bacterium Rickettsia rickettsii, manifesting itself through an acute febrile condition. Objective: This narrative review aimed to address the epidemiological and clinical aspects of Brazilian Spotted Fever in Brazil. Methodology: A descriptive study with a retrospective approach carried out through a literature search based on data obtained from articles available free of charge in the Medline, PubMed, Scopus and SciELO databases, published from 2013 to 2023. In order to address the main theme more broadly, gray literature and data from the Notifiable Diseases Information System - SINAN were also used, which were statically analyzed using the Epi Info and BioEstat programs. Results and Discussion: In Brazil, the main species of tick vectors of Rickettsia rickettsii, obligate intracellular Gram-negative bacilli that cause Rocky Mountain spotted fever are Amblyomma cajennense and A. aureolatum. Retrospective analysis of SINAN data found an average of 163.7 cases and a lethality of 31.6. The epidemiological study found a higher incidence and mortality from FMB in the Southeast Region, mainly in white men aged 20 to 60 years. Variables such as gender, race, age group, site of infection and macro-region were also relevant in the study. Prominent symptoms include fever, headache and myalgia, and may present a broad clinical spectrum with severe cases. Serology is the basis of diagnosis and indirect immunofluorescence is the preferred test. The treatment of choice is doxycycline from the tetracycline group. Conclusion: Early detection and appropriate treatment are important to reduce morbidity and mortality from tick-borne pathogens.