Rickettsialpox: report of three cases and a review

J Am Acad Dermatol. 2004 Nov;51(5 Suppl):S137-42. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2004.03.036.

Abstract

Rickettsialpox is a rare mite-borne rickettsiosis that is encountered in urban populations in the eastern United States and throughout the world. It is characterized clinically by an eschar, fever, and a papulovesicular eruption. Both of these cutaneous manifestations may be mimicked by infectious diseases that have been designated as bioterrorist agents by the United States Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention: the former by anthrax, and the latter by smallpox. It is thus important for clinicians to be familiar with rickettsialpox. We report 3 cases and review the epidemiology, clinical and laboratory findings, differential diagnosis, and management of this disease.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Doxycycline / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Humans
  • New York City / epidemiology
  • Rickettsiaceae Infections / diagnosis*
  • Rickettsiaceae Infections / drug therapy
  • Rickettsiaceae Infections / epidemiology
  • Urban Population*

Substances

  • Doxycycline