A returned traveller with persistent fever due to murine typhus

Hong Kong Med J. 2002 Dec;8(6):457-9.

Abstract

Murine (endemic) typhus is a notifiable disease in Hong Kong, but its diagnosis can be difficult. We report a case of murine typhus in a middle-aged man who presented with persistent fever, headache, and skin rash 2 weeks after returning from a visit to China. The diagnosis of murine typhus requires a high index of suspicion for a febrile patient with a history of potential exposure to the disease vector (rat flea) in an endemic area. The importance of early recognition lies in the potential for early therapeutic intervention, leading to decreases in morbidity and duration of stay in hospital.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • China
  • Clinical Laboratory Techniques
  • Doxycycline / therapeutic use
  • Fever / etiology*
  • Headache / etiology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Travel*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Typhus, Endemic Flea-Borne / complications*
  • Typhus, Endemic Flea-Borne / diagnosis*
  • Typhus, Endemic Flea-Borne / drug therapy

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Doxycycline