BACKGROUND: Rocky Mountain spotted @entity221 is a life-threatening, @entity7545 caused by @entity16736 . This disease is rarely reported in Arizona, and the principal vectors, Dermacentor species ticks, are uncommon in the state. From 2002 through 2004, a focus of Rocky Mountain spotted @entity221 was @entity19331 . METHODS: We obtained blood and tissue specimens from @entity1 with suspected Rocky Mountain spotted @entity221 and ticks from @entity1 ' homesites. Serologic, molecular, immunohistochemical, and culture assays were performed to identify the causative agent. On the basis of specific laboratory criteria, @entity1 were classified as having confirmed or probable @entity15798 . RESULTS: A total of 16 @entity1 with @entity15798 (11 with confirmed and 5 with probable @entity281 ) were identified. Of these @entity1 , 13 (81 percent) were @entity1 12 years of age or younger, 15 (94 percent) were hospitalized, and 2 (12 percent) died. Dense populations of @entity278 ticks were found on @entity235 and in the yards of @entity1 ' homesites. All @entity1 with confirmed Rocky Mountain spotted @entity221 had contact with tick-infested @entity235 , and four had a reported history of tick bite preceding the illness. @entity16736 DNA was detected in nonengorged @entity278 ticks collected at one home, and @entity16736 isolates were cultured from these ticks. CONCLUSIONS: This investigation documents the presence of Rocky Mountain spotted @entity221 , with common @entity278 ( @entity278 ) implicated as a vector of @entity16736 . The broad distribution of this common tick raises concern about its potential to transmit @entity16736 in other settings.

Rocky Mountain spotted XXXX from an unexpected tick vector in Arizona.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['children', 'patients'] @entity7545 :: ('MESH:D017282', 'Disease') :: ['tick-borne disease'] @entity278 :: ('34632', 'Species') :: ['brown dog ticks', 'Rhipicephalus sanguineus', 'R. sanguineus'] @entity235 :: ('9615', 'Species') :: ['dogs'] @entity281 :: ('MESH:D007239', 'Disease') :: ['infection'] @entity16736 :: ('783', 'Species') :: ['Rickettsia rickettsii', 'R. rickettsii'] @entity15798 :: ('MESH:D012373', 'Disease') :: ['Rocky Mountain spotted fever infection'] @entity221 :: ('MESH:D005334', 'Disease') :: ['fever in eastern Arizona', 'fever'] @entity19331 :: ('MESH:D020242', 'Disease') :: ['investigated in rural eastern Arizona']
@entity221 :: (MESH:D005334,Disease) :: ['fever']
