Tick-borne rickettsioses in Europe – a review

Tick-borne rickettsioses are emerging diseases in Europe. The Mediterranean region is endemic for rickettsioses, but the disease can also occur in other European countries. Ticks can be a vector of these bacteria. Spotted fevers caused by rickettsiae have nonspecific symptoms and are difficult to diagnose. The results of serological tests are positive many days after the onset of symptoms. PCR method can be useful in the diagnostic process. In the article we discuss the problem of rickettsia in Europe.