The differential diagnosis of Rickettsia prowazeki infection. Issue 1 (January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Vanya, Melinda; Hajdu, Edit; Szucs, Zoltan; Szili, Karoly
• Is Part Of: Reviews in medical microbiology. Volume 28:Issue 1(2017)
• Publication Date: 2017-01
• Subjects: dermatitis -- fever -- prisoner -- Rickettsia -- unknown infection; Medical microbiology -- Periodicals; Medical microbiology; Periodicals; 616.904105
• DOI: 10.1097/MRM.0000000000000084
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0954-139X

Abstract

Abstract : Introduction: We describe a rare case of Rickettsia prowazeki infection in male prisoners. Objective: Our aim was to demonstrate a case of R. prowazeki infection in male prisoners presenting fever, dermatitis, and significant weight loss. Case: We report the cases of male prisoners, aged 46, who developed progressive dermatitis, fever, and weight loss. Due to dermatitis and 38.4°C fever, we transferred the prisoners to the Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University of Szeged. The examination of the antigen test was negative for Plasmodium vivax, and biopsy was performed to exclude the vasculitis. For the potentially autoimmune cause of disease choloquine, antihistamine, methyl-prednisolone treatment was ordered. The dermaticological symptoms had progressed; therefore, we sent the patients to the Department of Infectology of Szeged and St Laszlo Hospital for further diagnosis. The serological tests were positive for R. prowazeki . Following 10-day course of doxycycline treatment, the patients displayed a significant clinical improvement. Conclusion: According to our knowledge, this is the first study to report the case of R. prowazeki in Central Europe.