Louse-borne relapsing fever (Borrelia recurrentis) in asylum seekers from Eritrea, the Netherlands, July 2015

Euro Surveill. 2015 Jul 30;20(30):21196. doi: 10.2807/1560-7917.es2015.20.30.21196.

Abstract

Two patients from Eritrea, recently arrived in the Netherlands, presented with fever and were investigated for malaria. Bloodfilms showed spirochetes but no blood parasites. Louse-borne relapsing fever caused by Borrelia recurrentis was diagnosed. Treatment was complicated by severe Jarisch-Herxheimer reactions in both patients. Physicians should be aware of the possibility of B. recurrentis infection in migrant populations who travel under crowded conditions, especially after passing through endemic areas such as Ethiopia and neighbouring countries.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / adverse effects
  • Borrelia / genetics
  • Borrelia / isolation & purification*
  • Ceftriaxone / administration & dosage*
  • Ceftriaxone / adverse effects
  • DNA, Bacterial / genetics
  • DNA, Bacterial / isolation & purification
  • Doxycycline / administration & dosage*
  • Doxycycline / adverse effects
  • Drug Hypersensitivity / prevention & control
  • Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions
  • Eritrea
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lice Infestations / diagnosis*
  • Lice Infestations / drug therapy
  • Male
  • Netherlands
  • Pediculus / microbiology*
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / genetics
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Relapsing Fever / diagnosis*
  • Relapsing Fever / drug therapy
  • Relapsing Fever / microbiology
  • Travel
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • DNA, Bacterial
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S
  • Ceftriaxone
  • Doxycycline