1765. Distribution of Rickettsia species among hospitalized cases and ticks in Pavlodar region, Kazakhstan, 2019

BACKGROUND: Spotted Fever Group Rickettsioses (SFGR) is a group of neglected, life-threatening zoonotic diseases caused by closely related bacteria spread primarily by ticks. Treatment is available if identified, but testing for Rickettsiae is limited. Little is known about SFGR prevalence and distribution of Rickettsiae species in Kazakhstan. This knowledge can help inform SFGR prevention and treatment efforts. METHODS: We conducted sentinel surveillance from April to October 2019 in six hospitals in the Pavlodar region, an area where several SFGR cases had previously been detected. We interviewed and collected samples from all consenting patients ≥ 6 years old with SFRG symptoms. Parents consented for patients < 18 years old. Samples included skin lesions and two serum samples at the acute stage (AS) and convalescent stage (CS). We classified participants as having acute SFGR if they had either: (1) positive PCR, or (2) a four-fold increase in IFA IgG titers from AS to CS samples, or (3) IgG titers (≥ 1:64) in an AS sample. We also collected ticks using dragging or flagging of vegetation and tested them using real-time PCR. RESULTS: Of 105 people enrolled, 69% had acute SFGR (fig. 1). Incidence rates per 100,000 population at sentinel sites ranged from 7 to 50. Common signs were fever (100%), headache (89%), rash (75%), and myalgia (58%). R. sibirica (40%), R. raoultii (39%), and R. slovaca (7%) were identified in participants (tab. 1). Participants with R. sibirica were more likely than participants with R. raoultii to have eschar (80% vs. 7%, p < 0.01, respectively) and rash (90% vs. 61%, p=0.01, respectively). Doxycycline was administered to 64% of participants, and nobody died. R. raoultii and R. spp were identified in 9% of Dermacentor reticulatus ticks (n=610) and 7% of Dermacentor marginatus ticks (n=349). R. sibirica was identified in 1% of D. marginatus ticks. S. slovaca was not detected in ticks (fig. 2). [Figure: see text] [Figure: see text] [Figure: see text] CONCLUSION: There was a two-fold increase in cases detected through active surveillance during our study than reported in previous years (105 in 2019 compared to 54 in 2018 and 40 in 2017). R. sibirica and R. raoultii are the dominant species associated with SFGR in Pavlodar and are also found in local ticks. Improved disease detection and regular testing of humans and ticks in areas with SFGR cases is needed. DISCLOSURES: All Authors: No reported disclosures