AIM: To demonstrate that Flinders Island spotted fever (FISF), a spotted fever group rickettsial infection caused by Rickettsia honei, is found not only on Flinders Island (Bass Strait), Tasmania, but elsewhere in south-east Australia. METHODS: Cases of FISF were identified by rickettsial serology, culture and the detection of rickettsial DNA via PCR. Isolates and PCR products were sequenced to identify the aetiological agent as R. honei. RESULTS: Three new cases of FISF were detected outside of Flinders Island. One on Schouten Island, south of the Freycinet Peninsula, Tasmania, and two in south-eastern South Australia (McLaren Vale and Goolwa). CONCLUSIONS: These cases show that FISF extends beyond Flinders Island and most likely has the same distribution across south-east Australia as its vector, the reptile tick Aponomma hydrosauri. FISF should be considered as a differential diagnosis in patients from south-eastern Australia presenting with fever, headache and rash following a tick bite.
AIM: To demonstrate that Flinders Island spotted fever (FISF), a spotted fever group rickettsial infection caused by Rickettsia honei, is found not only on Flinders Island (Bass Strait), Tasmania, but elsewhere in south-east Australia. METHODS: Cases of FISF were identified by rickettsial serology, culture and the detection of rickettsial DNA via PCR. Isolates and PCR products were sequenced to identify the aetiological agent as R. honei. RESULTS: Three new cases of FISF were detected outside of Flinders Island. One on Schouten Island, south of the Freycinet Peninsula, Tasmania, and two in south-eastern South Australia (McLaren Vale and Goolwa). CONCLUSIONS: These cases show that FISF extends beyond Flinders Island and most likely has the same distribution across south-east Australia as its vector, the reptile tick Aponomma hydrosauri. FISF should be considered as a differential diagnosis in patients from south-eastern Australia presenting with fever, headache and rash following a tick bite.
Authors: Philippe Parola; Christopher D Paddock; Cristina Socolovschi; Marcelo B Labruna; Oleg Mediannikov; Tahar Kernif; Mohammad Yazid Abdad; John Stenos; Idir Bitam; Pierre-Edouard Fournier; Didier Raoult Journal: Clin Microbiol Rev Date: 2013-10 Impact factor: 26.132
Authors: Nathan B Unsworth; John Stenos; Stephen R Graves; Antony G Faa; G Erika Cox; John R Dyer; Craig S Boutlis; Amanda M Lane; Matthew D Shaw; Jennifer Robson; Michael D Nissen Journal: Emerg Infect Dis Date: 2007-04 Impact factor: 6.883
Authors: Harriet Whiley; Georgie Custance; Stephen Graves; John Stenos; Michael Taylor; Kirstin Ross; Michael G Gardner Journal: Pathogens Date: 2016-06-08
Authors: Karen O Mathews; David Phalen; Jacqueline M Norris; John Stenos; Jenny-Ann Toribio; Nicholas Wood; Stephen Graves; Paul A Sheehy; Chelsea Nguyen; Katrina L Bosward Journal: Pathogens Date: 2021-06-12