TY - JOUR AU - De Vito, Andrea AU - Geremia, Nicholas AU - Mameli, Maria Sabrina AU - Fiore, Vito AU - Serra, Pier Andrea AU - Rocchitta, Gaia Giovanna Maria AU - Nuvoli, Susanna Maria Francesca AU - Spanu, Angela AU - Lobrano, Renato AU - Cossu, Antonio AU - Babudieri, Sergio AU - Maddeddu, Giordano PY - 2020/09/17 Y2 - 2024/03/29 TI - EPIDEMIOLOGY, CLINICAL ASPECTS, LABORATORY DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF RICKETTSIAL DISEASES IN THE MEDITERRANEAN AREA DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC: A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE JF - Mediterranean Journal of Hematology and Infectious Diseases JA - Mediterr J Hematol Infect Dis VL - 12 IS - 1 SE - Review Articles DO - 10.4084/mjhid.2020.056 UR - https://www.mjhid.org/mjhid/article/view/2020.056 SP - e2020056 AB - <p>The purpose of the present review is to give an update regarding the classification, the epidemiology, the clinical manifestation, the diagnoses, and the treatment of the Rickettsiae species present in the Mediterranean area.</p><p>We performed a comprehensive search, through electronic databases (Pubmed – MEDLINE) and search engines (Google Scholar), of peer-reviewed publications (articles, reviews, and books).</p><p>The availability of new diagnostic tools, including Polymerase Chain Reaction and nucleotide sequencing has significantly modified the classification of intracellular bacteria, including the order Rickettsiales with more and more new <em>Rickettsia</em> species recognized as human pathogens. Furthermore, emerging <em>Rickettsia</em> species have been found in several countries and are often associated with unique clinical pictures that may challenge the physician in the early detection of the diseases.</p><p>Rickettsial infections include a wide spectrum of clinical presentations ranging from a benign to a potentially life treating disease that requires prompt recognition and proper management. Recently, due to the spread of SARS-CoV-2 infection, the differential diagnosis with COVID-19 is of crucial importance. The correct understanding of the clinical features, diagnostic tools, and proper treatment can assist clinicians in the management of Rickettsioses in the Mediterranean area.</p> ER -