[Rickettsia conorii infection in Romania, 2000-2008].

Objectives: presenting the epidemiological aspects of Rickettsia conorii infection in Romania between 2000-2008.

Methods: A descriptive epidemiology study of Rickettsia conorii infection cases noticed in Romania between 2000-2008, which provide data regarding: time, place a4d person. The study also presents some risk factors.

Results: All cases were sporadic and were noticed in southern Romania. The highest incidence was registered in 2001 in Constanta district (44.2% per ten thousand inhabitants). The majority of cases were registred between April-November with a maximum of cases in August (38%) The patients were mainly from urban areas (80%); The more affected age group was 45-54 year (25%). The most predominant clinical expression was the medium one (58% of cases). In 99% of the cases, the release status from the hospital was cured and the evolution of the illness was favorable. In this period were just 2 deceased In 96% of the confirmed cases the tick exposure has appeared within the contact with parasited animals and took place in 60% of cases at home. 4% of the cases recognaised a professional contact with parasitated animals. In 93% of the cases the reservoir was represented by the parasitated dog.

Conclusion: The sporadic evolution of the cases demonstrated that the natural focality of the disease in Romania persists, the distribution of cases matches with that of Rickettsia conorii and its tick vectors and also with the period of greatest activity of the vector (Rhipicephalus sanguineous, specific for dogs). The disease clearly represents a public health problem whose magnitude is not known.