OBJECTIVES: We had for aim to describe the epidemiologic and clinic characteristics of murine typhus in a series of 43 serologically confirmed cases, in our region. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Serologic screening for IgG and IgM against Rickettsia typhi was performed in 1024 patients during three years (2006-2008). The characteristics of patients with a positive serology were examined retrospectively. One hundred and seventy sera obtained from blood donors were tested to detect IgG against R. typhi to determine the seroprevalence of the infection. RESULTS: There was evidence of recent R. typhi infection in 43 patients (4.2%) during the study period, and 3.7% of blood donors had IgG against R. typhi. The mean age of patients was 43.1 years and the sex-ratio was 1.04. Among the patients, 58.1% were from rural areas. No patient reported any exposure to rats or rat-fleas. There were more cases during the summer and fall. The most frequent complaint was fever as a single symptom (67.5%). A cutaneous rash was reported in 44.1% and headache in 60.5% of patients. Among the patients, 44.1% presented with thrombopenia and 47.2% with elevated liver enzymes. CONCLUSION: Murine typhus seems to be frequent in Tunisia. This infection could be a threat for travellers. Serology should be performed systematically in patients with fever as a single symptom since its clinical presentation is non-specific.
OBJECTIVES: We had for aim to describe the epidemiologic and clinic characteristics of murine typhus in a series of 43 serologically confirmed cases, in our region. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Serologic screening for IgG and IgM against Rickettsia typhi was performed in 1024 patients during three years (2006-2008). The characteristics of patients with a positive serology were examined retrospectively. One hundred and seventy sera obtained from blood donors were tested to detect IgG against R. typhi to determine the seroprevalence of the infection. RESULTS: There was evidence of recent R. typhiinfection in 43 patients (4.2%) during the study period, and 3.7% of blood donors had IgG against R. typhi. The mean age of patients was 43.1 years and the sex-ratio was 1.04. Among the patients, 58.1% were from rural areas. No patient reported any exposure to rats or rat-fleas. There were more cases during the summer and fall. The most frequent complaint was fever as a single symptom (67.5%). A cutaneous rash was reported in 44.1% and headache in 60.5% of patients. Among the patients, 44.1% presented with thrombopenia and 47.2% with elevated liver enzymes. CONCLUSION:Murine typhus seems to be frequent in Tunisia. This infection could be a threat for travellers. Serology should be performed systematically in patients with fever as a single symptom since its clinical presentation is non-specific.
Authors: Thomas W van der Vaart; Pieter P A M van Thiel; Nicole P Juffermans; Michèle van Vugt; Suzanne E Geerlings; Martin P Grobusch; Abraham Goorhuis Journal: Emerg Infect Dis Date: 2014-08 Impact factor: 6.883
Authors: Sandhya Dhawan; Matthew T Robinson; John Stenos; Stephen R Graves; Tri Wangrangsimakul; Paul N Newton; Nicholas P J Day; Stuart D Blacksell Journal: Am J Trop Med Hyg Date: 2020-04-02 Impact factor: 2.345