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Rickettsia Africae, a Tick‐borne Pathogen in Travelers to Sub‐Saharan Africa
Author(s) -
Witkiewicz A.,
Shupack J.,
Meehan S.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
journal of cutaneous pathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.597
H-Index - 75
eISSN - 1600-0560
pISSN - 0303-6987
DOI - 10.1111/j.0303-6987.2005.320hs.x
Subject(s) - myalgia , eschar , medicine , pathology , spotted fever , rickettsiosis , vasculitis , dermis , skin biopsy , doxycycline , dermatology , rickettsia , biopsy , biology , disease , virology , immunology , virus , microbiology and biotechnology , antibiotics
A 31 year‐old female presented with fever, arthralgias and myalgia ten days after returning from Zimbabwe. On physical exam she had scattered small, pink papules over the lower abdomen and two hemorrhagic pustules with central necrosis (eschars) on her left leg and left buttock. There was inquinal lymphadenopathy with no splenomegaly or hepatomegaly. A punch biopsy was performed which showed necrotizing vasculitis with ulceration of overlying epidermis and papillary dermis. Immunohistochemical studies performed at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention were positive for spotted group Rickettsiae. Treatment with doxycycline 200 mg/d for two weeks resulted in complete recovery. The clinical and histopathologic findings were consistent with Tick Bite Fever caused by Rickettsia africae.