Rickettsia typhi Domina Petric, MD

Etiology Rickettsia typhi is obligate intracellular parasite. Transmission vector is rat flea. Disease is called murine typhus (endemic typhus).

Patology This bacteria affects endotel cells of small blood vessels: focal lymphohistiocytic vasculitis.

Clinical presentation Incubation period: 7 to 14 days (usually 12 days). Abrupt onset: high temperature, headache, shivering, nausea, myalgias. Symptoms can progress to vomit and anorexia.

Clinical presentation Rash can occur immediately or after few days from the first symptoms: maculopapular rash (78%) petechiae (10%) on the trunk mostly

Clinical presentation Disease is usually mild, but in 4% of the patients there can be severe form (treatment in ICU). Rare clinical presentations: affection of CNS, renal, hepatal and respiratory insufficiency, hematemesis.

Best Online MD http://www.bestonlinemd.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Typhus-murine.jpg

Laboratory findings leukopenia and thrombocytopenia during first week of the disease leukocytosis later on ALT, AST, LDH, ALP levels are elevated PV can be low hypoproteinemia, hyponatremia, hypocalcemia pleocytosis in CSF

Treatment Doxycycline 100 mg twice a day per os. Treatment duration: 48 to 72 hours after body temperature drops.

Literature www.bestonlinemd.com Begovac J. Božinović D. Lisić M. Baršić B. Schönwald S. Infectology, Profil.