Rickettsia canadensis str. McKiel

Rickettsia canadensis was first isolated from Haemaphysalis leporispalustris ticks removed from rabbits in Ontario, Canada. It was initially considered a member of the typhus group rickettsiae on the basis of antigenic similarities. However, according to recent molecular studies, it is thought to be a representative of a distinct group within the genus rickettsia, such as Rickettsia bellii. The role of Rickettsia canadensis as a human pathogen has not been definitively established. Serological evidence of infection has been reported in four patients presenting with an RMSF-like disease in California and Texas. A role for Rickettsia canadensis in acute cerebral vasculitis was also suspected in a patient from southwestern Ohio, based on serological studies that included immunoblot analysis. This description is based on PubMed 16223955. (EBI Integr8)