Colorado tick fever

The Colorado tick fever is a viral disease that is transmitted by ticks. Pathogen is a virus of the family Reoviridae, the Colorado tick fever virus. Due to the transmission path there is assigned to the group of arboviruses.

Pathogen

The Colorado tick fever virus, and Colorado tick Feaver virus ( CTFV ) is a non-enveloped virus with double-stranded RNA genome. The genome is divided into 12 segments. The virion of the members of the genus Coltivirus is composed of two concentric, icosahedral capsids 60-80 nm in diameter of about. The majority of the particles is non-enveloped, however, occasionally some particles are at discharge via the Golgi apparatus packed with a virus envelope.

Among the 22 isolates of the present CTFV two serotypes (California CTFV - Ca and Florio CTFV - Fl) can be distinguished. The second species within the genus Coltivirus is the Eyach virus that was found in Europe in ticks, and can potentially cause disease in humans.

See also: Virus taxonomy

Epidemiology

The Colorado tick fever is in mountainous areas above 1700 meters in the USA and Canada endemic (Rocky Mountains ). Because of its limited distribution area and the non-specific symptoms, the Colorado tick fever is still often referred to as mountain fever. The virus is transmitted by several species of ticks, Dermacentor variabilis, however, mainly by. Reservoir of pathogens are mainly mice and gray squirrels, but also sheep and deer.

Infections

After an incubation period of about 4 days, a mild biphasic fever ( Dromedartyp ) developed. In 10 % of cases, a fleeting rash develops. Very rarely, a meningo - encephalitis developed. Deadly curves are rare. Through an existing viremia for months, the disease can be transmitted by blood transfusions. The convalescence is often lengthy.

Therapy and prophylaxis

No specific treatment or vaccine does not exist.

Swell

• Viral infection of humans
• Zoonosis
• Notifiable disease