Relapsing Fever

An acute infection characterized by recurrent episodes of PYREXIA alternating with asymptomatic intervals of apparent recovery. This condition is caused by SPIROCHETES of the genus BORRELIA. It is transmitted by the BITES of either the body louse (PEDICULUS humanus corporis), for which humans are the reservoir, or by soft ticks of the genus ORNITHODOROS, for which rodents and other animals are the principal reservoirs.

Also Known As:

Borrelia hermsii Infections; Borrelia recurrentis Infections; Fever, Louse-borne Relapsing; Fever, Relapsing; Fever, Tick-borne Relapsing; Infection, Borrelia hermsii; Infection, Borrelia recurrentis; Louse borne Relapsing Fever; Louse-borne Relapsing Fevers; Relapsing Fever, Louse-borne; Relapsing Fever, Tick-borne; Relapsing Fevers; Tick borne Relapsing Fever; Tick-borne Relapsing Fevers; Borrelia hermsii Infection; Borrelia recurrentis Infection; Louse-borne Relapsing Fever; Tick-borne Relapsing Fever

Networked: 335 relevant articles (12 outcomes, 23 trials/studies)

Relationship Network

Disease Context: Research Results

Infections: 526564
- Vector Borne Diseases: 374
  - Tick-Borne Diseases: 496
    - Relapsing Fever: 335
- Bacterial Infections and Mycoses: 1
  - Bacterial Infections: 24368
    - Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections: 918
      - Spirochaetales Infections: 27
        Borrelia Infections: 90
        Relapsing Fever: 335

Related Diseases

1.	Infections
2.	Lyme Disease (Disease, Lyme)
3.	Syphilis
4.	Bacteremia
5.	Meningitis

Experts

1.	Schwan, Tom G: 17 articles (01/2020 - 02/2003)
2.	Raffel, Sandra J: 15 articles (01/2022 - 02/2003)
3.	Barbour, Alan G: 14 articles (01/2017 - 02/2004)
4.	Schrumpf, Merry E: 10 articles (01/2013 - 02/2003)
5.	Lopez, Job E: 9 articles (01/2022 - 12/2008)
6.	Marconi, Richard T: 9 articles (11/2016 - 08/2003)
7.	Porcella, Stephen F: 9 articles (01/2013 - 02/2003)
8.	Fingerle, Volker: 7 articles (12/2018 - 10/2014)
9.	Zückert, Wolfram R: 7 articles (12/2011 - 03/2004)
10.	Margos, Gabriele: 6 articles (01/2022 - 10/2014)

Drugs and Biologics

Drugs and Important Biological Agents (IBA) related to Relapsing Fever:

1.	Doxycycline (Periostat)FDA LinkGeneric 10/23/2020 - "The current postexposure prophylaxis regimen for tick-borne relapsing fever (TBRF) consists of 5 days' doxycycline. " 10/23/2020 - "Single Dose of Doxycycline for the Prevention of Tick-borne Relapsing Fever." 01/01/2019 - "Following a working diagnosis of 'relapsing fever', the patient was treated with doxycycline. " 01/01/2018 - "Treatment with doxycycline for suspected tickborne relapsing fever was successful. " 03/01/2016 - "Spirochetes were detected in Giemsa stained blood smears and treatment was started with doxycycline for suspected tick-borne relapsing fever. "
2.	Complement System Proteins (Complement)IBA 01/01/2019 - "We conclude that in strong contrast to the diagnosis of typical relapsing fever, microscopy of blood smears is not sensitive enough for confirming a diagnosis of BMD but that SCID mouse inoculation could be a useful complement to PCR." 01/01/2017 - "Borrelia (B.) miyamotoi, an emerging tick-borne relapsing fever spirochete, resists complement-mediated killing. " 10/01/2014 - "The relapsing fever spirochete Borrelia miyamotoi resists complement-mediated killing by human serum." 09/04/2014 - "The relapsing fever spirochete Borrelia miyamotoi is cultivable in a modified Kelly-Pettenkofer medium, and is resistant to human complement." 05/01/2008 - "Bactericidal action of a complement-independent antibody against relapsing fever Borrelia resides in its variable region."
3.	Immunoglobulin M (IgM)IBA 12/01/2006 - "While these results indicated that the production of IgM was delayed in MyD88(-/-) mice, they also point to a second, antibody-independent role for MyD88 signaling in host defense to relapsing fever Borrelia. " 12/01/2006 - "Relapsing fever Borrelia spp. undergo antigenic variation, achieve high levels in blood, and require rapid production of immunoglobulin M (IgM) for clearance. " 04/01/2003 - "Together these results support the model that B1b cells generate the T-independent IgM required for the control and resolution of relapsing fever borreliosis." 04/01/2003 - "The resolution of relapsing fever borreliosis requires IgM and is concurrent with expansion of B1b lymphocytes." 12/01/2011 - "In the murine model of Borrelia hermsii infection, IgM is necessary and sufficient for the rapid clearance of bacteremia. "
4.	Tetracycline (Achromycin)FDA LinkGeneric 03/01/1987 - "Prevention of Borrelia recurrentis infection with tetracycline." 09/01/2003 - "The best treatment for relapsing fever is tetracycline or doxycycline. " 01/01/1995 - "A clinical trial was conducted in order to evaluate the efficacy of procaine penicillin and tetracycline, respectively, in the treatment of louse-borne relapsing fever. " 01/01/1995 - "Treatment of louse-borne relapsing fever with low dose penicillin or tetracycline: a clinical trial." 07/01/1992 - "Tetracycline versus penicillin in the treatment of louse-borne relapsing fever."
5.	Penicillins (Penicillin)FDA Link 01/01/1995 - "As mortality is linked to severe JHR, and most relapses are clinically mild and easily treated, these results speak in favour of using low-dose penicillin to initiate the treatment of relapsing fever." 08/01/1949 - "The effect of penicillin on the behaviour of spirochaetes in natural and inoculated relapsing fever." 09/01/1947 - "Comparative effectiveness of penicillins G, F, K, and X in experimental relapsing fever." 11/01/1946 - "Penicillin in the treatment of louse-borne relapsing fever." 08/01/1946 - "Penicillin in the treatment of experimental relapsing fever in rats."
6.	Interleukin-10 (Interleukin 10)IBA 07/06/2010 - "Interleukin-10 mediated autoregulation of murine B-1 B-cells and its role in Borrelia hermsii infection." 08/01/2008 - "Our results indicate that at times of high pathogen load, as during peak bacteremia in relapsing fever borreliosis, IL-10 protects innate immune cells from apoptosis via inhibition of TNF resulting in improved pathogen control." 01/01/2007 - "Role of interleukin 10 during persistent infection with the relapsing fever Spirochete Borrelia turicatae." 10/01/2008 - "In previous studies of the pathogenesis of spirochetal brain infection, mice inoculated with Borrelia turicatae, an agent of tick-borne relapsing fever in North America, developed mild meningitis and parenchymal activation/infiltration by interleukin 10 (IL-10)-producing microglia/macrophages. " 01/01/2007 - "The results suggest IL-10 plays a protective role as a down-regulator of inflammation and pathogen load during infection with relapsing fever spirochetes."
7.	MeptazinolIBA 04/16/1983 - "Meptazinol is the first effective treatment for the J-HR of louse-borne relapsing fever. " 04/16/1983 - "Meptazinol diminishes the Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction of relapsing fever." 04/16/1983 - "Naloxone, an opioid antagonist, and meptazinol, an opioid antagonist with agonist properties, were tested in a double-blind placebo-controlled trial in 24 Ethiopian patients with louse-borne relapsing fever. " 05/21/1983 - "Meptazinol, a partial opioid agonist, diminishes the Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction in relapsing fever whereas naloxone, a pure opioid antagonist, is virtually inert. "
8.	AntibodiesIBA 05/10/2022 - "This is the first serological survey of B. persica in dogs and the first survey for antibodies reactive with a relapsing fever Borrelia sp. in cats globally. " 01/01/2016 - "Both antibodies could be incorporated into inexpensive and stable formats suited for the rapid point-of-care diagnosis of relapsing fever. " 10/01/2014 - "Additionally, we found antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (SL) spp. in 21% of voles, against Anaplasma phagocytophilum in 2.6%, Rickettsia spp. in 13%, relapsing fever Borrelia (3.9%), and T. " 01/01/2012 - "Small mammals were captured, thin blood smears were examined microscopically for spirochetes, and serum samples were tested for antibodies to relapsing fever spirochetes. " 10/01/2000 - "We conclude that assessment of anti-GlpQ antibodies will allow serological confirmation of louse-borne relapsing fever and determination of disease prevalence."
9.	Chlortetracycline (Aureomycin)FDA Link 06/01/1956 - "[New evaluation of the treatment of Spanish relapsing fever with aureomycin]." 06/01/1954 - "[Aureomycin in relapsing fever in Spain]." 03/01/1954 - "[Treatment of relapsing fever in Spain by aureomycin]." 03/01/1953 - "[Relapsing fever and aureomycin]." 10/01/1951 - "The treatment of tick-borne relapsing fever in East Africa with special reference to aureomycin."
10.	Penicillin G Procaine (Procaine, Benzylpenicillin)FDA Link 10/01/2013 - "The patient continued treatment with procaine penicillin fortified for relapsing fever. " 01/01/1995 - "A clinical trial was conducted in order to evaluate the efficacy of procaine penicillin and tetracycline, respectively, in the treatment of louse-borne relapsing fever. " 01/01/1977 - "One hundred and sixty patients with louse-borne relapsing fever were treated with a combination therapy of procaine penicillin and tetracycline. " 05/01/1983 - "Twelve men with louse-borne relapsing fever were treated with single doses of procaine penicillin plus aluminum monostearate (PAM) intramuscularly or of tetracycline intravenously. "

Therapies and Procedures

1.	Therapeutics 07/01/2017 - "This will be of value for future research on the pathogenesis, genetics, diagnosis, therapy and epidemiology of HTBRF and other tick-borne relapsing fevers." 07/01/2015 - "Empirical antifungal therapy was administered for episodes with persistent or relapsing fever (group I). " 02/01/1986 - "Identification of the cause and subsequent specific therapy are indicated for those prolonged or relapsing fevers that follow abdominal surgery. " 10/01/1964 - "CLINICAL PICTURE AND THERAPY OF TICK-BORNE RELAPSING FEVER; SUMMARY OF 49 CASES." 06/01/1947 - "Relapsing fever in Cullinan (Transvaal) with a short reference to penicillin therapy."
2.	Blood Transfusion (Blood Transfusions) 03/01/2015 - "Blood transfusion transmission of the tick-borne relapsing fever spirochete Borrelia miyamotoi in mice." 05/01/1990 - "Blood transfusion-associated relapsing fever." 01/01/1963 - "[On the possibility of transmission of relapsing fever by blood transfusion]."
3.	Aftercare (After-Treatment) 04/05/1946 - "Brain involvement as a possible cause of relapse after treatment in spirochetal relapsing fever." 04/05/1946 - "Brain Involvement as a Possible Cause of Relapse After Treatment in Spirochetal Relapsing Fever." 02/20/2022 - "CASE REPORT A 36-year-old Japanese woman with chronic hepatitis B virus infection developed relapsing fever, lymphadenopathy with marked splenomegaly, and ascites 6 months after treatment with propagermanium, a nonspecific immune modulator, and subsequent treatment with entecavir and pegylated interferon sequential therapy. "
4.	Intramuscular Injections 03/01/1910 - "Treatment of Relapsing Fever by Intramuscular Injections of Orsudon." 09/01/1996 - "Fifteen patients with confirmed relapsing fever were infused intravenously with pentoxifylline 90 min before intramuscular injection of penicillin; 4 patients were not treated with pentoxifylline. "
5.	Drug Therapy (Chemotherapy) 11/01/1953 - "Chemotherapy of experimental relapsing fever in mice with antibiotics and synthetic compounds." 02/01/1995 - "The serum concentrations of tumour necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were studied in 25 patients with louse-borne relapsing fever, to evaluate their association with the level of bacteraemia, anti-borrelia chemotherapy and the presence of a Jarish-Herxheimer reaction (JHR). "