Publication Date
5-7-2025
Journal
American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
DOI
10.4269/ajtmh.24-0528
PMID
40068216
PMCID
PMC12062691
PubMedCentral® Posted Date
3-11-2025
PubMedCentral® Full Text Version
Post-print
Abstract
Rickettsial pathogens are an endemic and emergent source of disease in Texas, with a historically high rate of transmission along the United States-Mexico border. To better understand the prevalence and risk factors for spotted fever group Rickettsia (SFGR) and typhus group Rickettsia (TGR) along the Texas-Mexico border, we conducted a seroprevalence study of adults residing in Starr County, Texas (N = 616). Plasma samples were screened for IgG reactivity to SFGR and TGR using commercially available ELISA. ELISA-positive samples were confirmed using a dual spot IgG indirect immunofluorescent assay. Seropositivity was defined as having a ≥1:128 titer. Analysis was conducted to assess risk factors associated with seropositivity. A higher seroprevalence of TGR (10.9%) was identified compared with SFGR (4.6%) and Rickettsia unspecified (2.0%). These findings add to the growing body of evidence suggesting that both SFGR and TGR are endemic along the Texas-Mexico border.
Keywords
Humans, Texas, Seroepidemiologic Studies, Risk Factors, Male, Adult, Female, Mexico, Middle Aged, Antibodies, Bacterial, Rickettsia, Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiosis, Young Adult, Immunoglobulin G, Aged, Adolescent, Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay, Rickettsia Infections
Published Open-Access
yes
Recommended Citation
Cramer, Frederick M; Leining, Lauren M; Erickson, Timothy A; et al., "The Seroprevalence and Risk Factors for Spotted Fever Group and Typhus Group Rickettsia Along the Texas-Mexico Border" (2025). Faculty, Staff and Students Publications. 6523.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/baylor_docs/6523