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Rickettsia typhi infection in childhood
Author(s) -
Bitsori M,
Galanakis E,
Gikas A,
Scoulica E,
Sbyrakis S
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
acta pædiatrica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1651-2227
pISSN - 0803-5253
DOI - 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2002.tb01641.x
Subject(s) - medicine , rickettsia typhi , hepatosplenomegaly , rash , murine typhus , pediatrics , aseptic meningitis , rickettsia , meningitis , differential diagnosis , scrub typhus , immunology , dermatology , typhus , virology , virus , pathology , disease
Rickettsia typhi infection (murine typhus) is generally underdiagnosed in childhood, as clinical presentations are often non‐specific. We present the manifestations in nine children hospitalized in the Department of Paediatrics of the University Hospital, Heraklion, Crete, over a 3‐y period from 1998 to 2000. Titres >1:400 for IgM and >1:960 for IgG and/or a fourfold increase in a second sample were considered strongly suggestive of acute infection. Children presented with prolonged fever, hepatosplenomegaly and lymphadenopathy. Five children presented with a rash. Unusual manifestations included aseptic meningitis and Kawasaki‐like presentation. Laboratory findings included anaemia, leucopenia, and thrombocytopenia. Three children were treated with appropriate antibiotic regimens and all nine had a complete recovery. Conclusion: Rickettsia typhi infection should be considered in the differential diagnosis of children residing in or returning from Southern Europe countries who present with prolonged fever, rash and lymphadenopathy.