| characterization of rickettsial diseases in a hospital-based population in central tunisia. | in tunisia, 2 rickettsial groups, spotted fever group and typhus group, have been described since the beginning of the 20th century. mediterranean spotted fever (msf), also known as boutonneuse fever, caused by rickettsia conorii and transmitted by the dog tick rhipicephalus sanguineus, is the most frequent rickettsial infection observed. its seroprevalence in our region is 9% among blood donors and 23% in hospitalized febrile patients. typhus group rickettsioses, caused by r. typhi and r. prowa ... | 2009 | 19538277 |