Rocky Mountain spotted fever and jaundice. Two consecutive cases acquired in Florida and a review of the literature on this complication.

Rocky mountain spotted fever is increasing in Florida, a state that has had few cases in the past. The typical clinical illness has been well described, but jaundice has been rarely reported. In two patients with illnesses resembling leptospirosis, jaundice appeared on the sixth and ninth day of illness, and peak bilirubin levels were between 7 and 9 mg/100 ml. Liver biopsy specimen from one patient showed a nonspecific hepatitis. Hemolysis and renal dysfunction may have contributed to the production of jaundice in these patients. Fourteen instances of jaundice were reported in 43 autopsied cases as of 1941, but since that time only rare mention of jaundice has been made.