Logo American Journal of Case Reports

Call: 1.631.629.4328
Mon-Fri 10 am - 2 pm EST

Contact Us

Logo American Journal of Case Reports Logo American Journal of Case Reports Logo American Journal of Case Reports

18 December 2018 : Case report  USA

Murine Typhus: A Life-Threatening Presentation of a Case in Galveston, Texas

Challenging differential diagnosis, Rare disease

Christopher Perez1EF*, Diaa Hamouda2B, Bernard Karnath1FG

DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.909369

Am J Case Rep 2018; 19:1503-1506

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Murine typhus is a rare bacterial infection caused by Rickettsia typhi, which is transmitted from rodents to humans through the infected Xenopsylla cheopis flea. The disease presentation is often non-specific, leading to unnecessary tests, and a delay in diagnosis and treatment.

CASE REPORT: A report is presented of a 22-year-old, previously healthy man, who presented with several symptoms and signs that increased in severity, requiring admission to the medical intensive care unit (MICU). After an extensive bacterial and viral laboratory workup, IgM and IgG titers confirmed the diagnosis of murine typhus due to infection by Rickettsia typhi. The patient was treated with doxycycline, which resulted in significant clinical improvement.

CONCLUSIONS: Murine typhus can present with a characteristic triad of fever, headache, and rash but also with other symptoms and signs and can vary in severity. Given its increasing prevalence in coastal cities, awareness of this infection and early diagnosis and treatment with doxycycline can reduce patient morbidity.

Keywords: Bacterial Infections, doxycycline, Rickettsia typhi, Xenopsylla

Add Comment 0 Comments

895 26

In Press

25 May 2023 : Case report  Latvia

Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of the Extrahepatic Bile Ducts: A Case Report

Am J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.939239  

24 May 2023 : Case report  South Africa

An Initially Missed Diagnosis of Venous Thromboembolic Phenomenon in Adult-Onset Still’s Disease: A Case Re...

Am J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.939520  

24 May 2023 : Case report  Italy

Successful Surgical Removal of a Giant Serous Ovarian Cyst in a 52-Year-Old Woman with Presurgical Body Mas...

Am J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.939697  

23 May 2023 : Case report  Japan

Successful Noninvasive Respiratory Management of an Infant with Bilateral Choanal Atresia and a Supernumera...

Am J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.939642  

Most Viewed Current Articles

06 Dec 2021 : Case report  Brazil

Lipedema Can Be Treated Non-Surgically: A Report of 5 Cases

DOI :10.12659/AJCR.934406

Am J Case Rep 2021; 22:e934406

13 Jul 2022 : Case report  USA

Whistling Scrotum: An Unusual Presentation of Pneumomediastinum in the Setting of an Open Scrotal Wound

DOI :10.12659/AJCR.936441

Am J Case Rep 2022; 23:e936441

23 Feb 2022 : Case report  USA

Penile Necrosis Associated with Local Intravenous Injection of Cocaine

DOI :10.12659/AJCR.935250

Am J Case Rep 2022; 23:e935250

07 Dec 2021 : Case report  USA

Edwardsiella tarda: A Classic Presentation of a Rare Fatal Infection, with Possible New Background Risk Fac...

DOI :10.12659/AJCR.934347

Am J Case Rep 2021; 22:e934347

Your Privacy

We use cookies to ensure the functionality of our website, to personalize content and advertising, to provide social media features, and to analyze our traffic. If you allow us to do so, we also inform our social media, advertising and analysis partners about your use of our website, You can decise for yourself which categories you you want to deny or allow. Please note that based on your settings not all functionalities of the site are available. View our privacy policy.

American Journal of Case Reports eISSN: 1941-5923
American Journal of Case Reports eISSN: 1941-5923