A case of murine typhus in Queensland
Graves, S.R.; Banks, J.; Dwyer, B.; King, G.K.
Medical Journal of Australia 156(9): 650-651
1992
ISSN/ISBN: 0025-729X PMID: 1625620 Document Number: 393818
This case report in a 17-year-old Caucasian primagravid woman from north Queensland, Australia, indicates that infection with Rickettsia typhi still occurs in the country. "[The patient] presented with a viral-like illness and later developed a spotted rash, fever and headache. Sera taken on Day 7 and Day 30 of the illness showed seroconversion to Proteus OX19 (Weil-Felix) and to Rickettsia typhi (by immunofluorescence), indicating recent infection with Rickettsia of the typhus group. Her illness was clinically compatible with murine typhus. She responded well to erythromycin and delivered a normal infant at term."D.W. FitzSimons The case is reported of a 17-year-old, pregnant, Caucasian woman from Queensland, Australia, who presented with a febrile illness, spotted rash, and joint pains. She was treated with erythromycin (250 mg QDS for 7 days) pending results of pathological tests. Specific immunofluorescence serology for Rickettsia typhi was positive at a titre of 1:256. Recovery was uncomplicated and she subsequently was delivered of a normal infant. This case confirms that infection with R. typhi still occurs in Australia.