Brazilian spotted fever is an infectious disease caused mainly by Rickettsia rickettsii , transmitted by ticks, with Amblyomma spp. as the main vector. In recent years, increasing deforestation and extinction of local predators have led to increased transmission. Symptoms include maculopapular rash, fever, headache, myalgia, malaise, vomiting and nausea. It is a disease of compulsory immediate notification upon suspicion. Due to nonspecific clinical manifestations, the differential diagnosis is extensive, making diagnosis and adequate treatment difficult. This study aimed to describe the main indicators of Brazilian spotted fever in Brazil from 2018 to 2024, assessing its spatial distribution among regions and its incidence over time. Descriptive time-series study between 2018 and 2024 in Brazil, using data from TabNet–DATASUS and the official Federal Government website, referring to the total and regional number of cases, place of infection, age group per year and deaths due to Brazilian spotted fever in the period, which were subsequently tabulated for analysis. Incidence rate per year and overall, mortality rate and case-fatality rate were calculated. In the period evaluated, 1,861 new cases of Brazilian spotted fever were reported in Brazil, with 504 deaths due to the disease. The Southeast region had the highest number of cases. The disease affected males more frequently; the place of infection was predominantly the household environment, and the 40–64-year age group accounted for most cases. There was a reduction in confirmed cases in 2020, potentially associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by an increase in 2023. The incidence rate over the period was 0.92 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, mortality rate was 0.25 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants and case-fatality rate was 27.08%. Brazilian spotted fever is a low-incidence but high lethality disease in Brazil, with the Southeast region being the most affected.
Rostirolla et al. (Sun,) studied this question.