Paul S. Arcos-Viscarra, Departamento de Pediatría; Servicio de Enfermedades Infecciosas. Hospital Universitario “Dr. José Eleuterio González”, Monterrey, Nuevo León, México
José I. Castillo-Bejarano, Departamento de Pediatría; Servicio de Enfermedades Infecciosas. Hospital Universitario “Dr. José Eleuterio González”, Monterrey, Nuevo León, México
Abiel H. Mascareñas-de los Santos, Departamento de Pediatría; Servicio de Enfermedades Infecciosas. Hospital Universitario “Dr. José Eleuterio González”, Monterrey, Nuevo León, México
Denisse N. Vaquera-Aparicio, Departamento de Pediatría; Servicio de Enfermedades Infecciosas. Hospital Universitario “Dr. José Eleuterio González”, Monterrey, Nuevo León, México
Ana S. Guerrero-Delgado, Departamento de Pediatría; Servicio de Enfermedades Infecciosas. Hospital Universitario “Dr. José Eleuterio González”, Monterrey, Nuevo León, México
Vanesa Berumen-Millán, Departamento de Pediatría; Servicio de Enfermedades Infecciosas. Hospital Universitario “Dr. José Eleuterio González”, Monterrey, Nuevo León, México
Erika A. Larragoity-González, Departamento de Pediatría; Servicio de Enfermedades Infecciosas. Hospital Universitario “Dr. José Eleuterio González”, Monterrey, Nuevo León, México
Background: Rickettsiosis is a vector-borne disease in Mexico, with Rickettsia rickettsii as the primary pathogen in the north. Climate change drives vector expansion, yet its impact on rickettsiosis incidence remains unclear. Objective: This study evaluates the association between climate variables and rickettsiosis incidence in the Metropolitan Area of Nuevo León, Mexico, over 11 years. Materials and methods: A longitudinal ecological study was conducted using data from 2013 to 2024. Pearson correlation analysis assessed climate-disease associations, followed by Poisson regression modeling. Spatial patterns were visualized utilizing a case density map and density-based spatial clustering of applications with noise (DBSCAN) analysis identified clusters. Results: 381 cases were analyzed. Minimum temperature showed a positive association with incidence (p = 0.003). Maximum temperature had a significant positive relationship (p < 0.001). Precipitation negatively affected incidence (p = 0.035). DBSCAN analysis revealed four main clusters in Monterrey’s metropolitan area. Conclusions: Our findings link climatic variables to rickettsiosis incidence in Nuevo León, highlighting the relationship between temperature, precipitation, and disease. These results emphasize climate-informed public health strategies.
Keywords: Rickettsiosis. Climate change. Vector-borne diseases. Temperature. Precipitation.