Severe tick-bite fever in young children. A report of 3 cases
Gear, J.H.; Wagner, J.M.; Dyssell, J.C.; Hulton, S.A.; Wehde, S.D.
South African Medical Journal 77(8): 422-424
1990
ISSN/ISBN: 0256-9574 PMID: 2330527 Document Number: 361278
Tick-bite fever in young children is usually a mild illness with few complications and no mortality. That it may assume a severe form is illustrated by the occurrence of 3 cases admitted to Johannesburg Hospital within 1 week in which 2 patients, 3 and 5 years old respectively, had severe involvement of the central nervous system with epileptiform fits and deep coma and loss of power of speech on recovering consciousness. The third patient, aged 5 years, developed an incipient haemorrhagic state as well as serious involvement of the central nervous system. The severe form of the disease in these patients appears to have been due to unusually virulent strains of Rickettsia conorii, probably acquired from dog ticks in their homes. All patients recovered on appropriate treatment. Two regained their normal speech after many weeks while the third patient's incipient haemorrhagic state rapidly resolved.