Novel Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiosis, Brazil

Abstract

We report a clinical case of spotted fever group rickettsiosis acquired in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Definitive diagnosis was supported by seroconversion between acute-phase and convalescent-phase serum samples. Molecular analysis of skin samples indicated the agent was a novel spotted fever group strain closely related to Rickettsia africae, R. parkeri, and R. sibirica.