A variety of spotted fever group Rickettsiae are reported in Spain.

The incidence of Mediterranean spotted fever cases has decreased in recent years, from 870 cases in 1989, to 234 in 2003. 77.76% of cases are reported from Andalucia, Castilla La Mancha, Castilla y Leon and Cataluna, with most occurring during July through October. 38 fatal cases were reported during 1980 to 1994.

Seroprevalence surveys:
8% of healthy persons and 26.1% of dogs in Catalonia – highest rates in seimrural areas (1997)
8.7% of persons in southern Spain (2002)
3.4% of persons in southern Spain (Bar29 infection, 2006 publication)
3.7% of persons in Catalonia (Rickettsia slovaka, 2008 publication)
56.4% of dogs in northeastern Spain (2006 publication)
24.6% of dogs in Ourense and Pontevedra (northwestern Spain, 2008 publication)
44% of cats in northeastern Spain (2006 publication)

19.9% of Rhipicephalus sanguineus and 16.4% of Rh. pusillus ticks collected in Rioja, Aragon and Cataluna were found infested with spotted fever rickettsiae.

A distinct Rickettsia species (Bar29 = ‘Catalan strain’ = Rickettsia massiliae) has been implicated in human infections from Catalonia and may account for 20% of spotted fever cases in Barcelona. Bar29 has been isolated from dog ticks (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) 11 in Catalonia and Andalusia and is resistant to rifampin.

Rickettsia aeschlimanniii has been found in six species of ticks in the Castilla y Leon region: Ixodes ricinus, Hyalomma marginatum, Haemaphysalis punctata, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, R. bursa and R. turanicus.

Rickettsia slovaca has been identified in ticks (Dermacentor marginatus) in northern Spain. 3.3% of the general population in northern Spain are seropositive toward R. slovaca.

A syndrome of Dermacentor-borne necrosis with erythema and lymphadenopathy (DEBONEL, TIBOLA) described in Spain has been ascribed to possible infection by Rickettsia slovaca. Dermacentor marginatus and other large tick species are implicated in transmission. In recent years, rates of TIBOLA have been increasing in Spain, while those of Mediterranean spotted fever appear to be declining. TIBOLA appears to be more common than Mediterranean spotted fever in the Spanish Mediterranean area.

Two cases of Rickettsia monacensis infection (La Rioja and Basque region) were reported in 2003.

Update: Quoted in ProMED

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