Socio-demographic and climatic factors as correlates of Mediterranean spotted fever (MSF) in northern Sardinia

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2008 Feb;78(2):318-20.

Abstract

Mediterranean spotted fever (MSF) is endemic in the Mediterranean area. We carried out a retrospective study to investigate the association between socio-demographic and climatic factors and MSF incidence in northern Sardinia. We found that maximum temperature levels during the previous summer were associated with increases in MSF incidence.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Binomial Distribution
  • Boutonneuse Fever / epidemiology*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Demography
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Infant
  • Italy / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Rain*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Rickettsia conorii / isolation & purification
  • Temperature*
  • Time Factors