Abstract | OBJECTIVE:
Murine typhus is an endemic zoonosis. It is difficult to diagnose because of its non-specific clinical manifestations. Our objective was to describe the epidemiological, clinical, laboratory, and treatment features of murine typhus. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of 73 adult patients hospitalized for murine typhus from 2006 to 2011. The diagnosis was confirmed by a single titer of IgM≥128 or by seroconversion to typhus group antigen identified by indirect fluorescent assay. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 33.1 years (range, 13-68 years). Thirty-eight patients (52%) lived in rural or suburban areas; neither fleabites nor exposure to rats were reported. The most common clinical symptoms were: fever, headache, and myalgia. A maculopapular and non-confluent rash was observed in 47 patients (64.4%). No inoculation eschar was observed in any patient. Eight patients presented with interstitial pneumonia and two with lymphocytic meningitis. The diagnosis was confirmed by indirect fluorescence assay in every case. A single titer of IgM ≥ 128 was found in 62 (84.9%) cases. The other 11 cases were diagnosed by seroconversion. All patients were given antibiotics. Tetracyclines were prescribed in 57 cases (78%). The two patients presenting with meningitis were treated with fluoroquinolone. The outcome was favorable for all patients and no relapse was observed. CONCLUSION: The features of murine typhus are non-specific. The definitive diagnosis is based on serologic testing by indirect fluorescent assay. Cyclins were the most prescribed antibiotics.
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Authors | A Aouam, A Toumi, H Ben Brahim, C Loussaief, B Jelliti, F Ben Romdhane, S Ben Yahia, M Khairallah, M Chakroun |
Journal | Medecine et maladies infectieuses
(Med Mal Infect)
Vol. 45
Issue 4
Pg. 124-7
(Apr 2015)
ISSN: 1769-6690 [Electronic] France |
PMID | 25687303
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Copyright | Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved. |
Chemical References |
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Topics |
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Aged
- Anti-Bacterial Agents
(therapeutic use)
- Endemic Diseases
(statistics & numerical data)
- Exanthema
(etiology)
- Female
- Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect
- Humans
- Lung Diseases, Interstitial
(drug therapy, etiology)
- Male
- Meningitis, Bacterial
(drug therapy, etiology)
- Middle Aged
- Retrospective Studies
- Seasons
- Tunisia
(epidemiology)
- Typhus, Endemic Flea-Borne
(blood, complications, diagnosis, drug therapy, epidemiology)
- Young Adult
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