Rocky Mountain spotted fever is caused by which of the following?

Rocky Mountain spotted fever is caused by which of the following?

• A. A virus
• B. A bacteria
• C. A protozoan
• D. A fungus

Answer: (B)

Rocky Mountain spotted fever is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Rickettsia rickettsii. This organism is a type of bacteria known as an obligate intracellular pathogen, meaning it requires living host cells to replicate. It is primarily transmitted through tick bites, specifically from the American dog tick, the wood tick, and the brown dog tick. Understanding that the disease is caused by bacteria helps in recognizing the appropriate treatment options, which typically include antibiotics. Other infectious diseases may be caused by viruses, protozoa, or fungi, but in the case of Rocky Mountain spotted fever, the bacterial origin is a key factor in diagnosis and management.