ROCKY-MOUNTAIN-SPOTTED-FEVER IN AN ENDEMIC AREA IN MINAS-GERAIS, BRAZIL

Only one species of spotted fever-group rickettsiae that is pathogenic for humans has been isolated in Brazil, where few physicians ave fami liar with this disease. In order to obtain information on tick-borne r ickettsiosis, a study was performed in the County of Santa Cruz do Esc alvado, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil, where a fatal clinical case con firmed by specific immunofluorescence had been reported. Serum samples obtained from 679 humans and 96 dogs were tested by indirect immunofl uorescence for detectable antibodies to spotted fever-group rickettsia e, the criterion for a positive result being a titer greater than or e qual to 1:64. Seropositivity was detected in 7.14% of the humans sera examined and 13.68% of the dogs. We discuss the significance of these findings and formulate some questions emphasizing the need for further investigation.