Murine typhus returns to New South Wales: a case of isolated meningoencephalitis with raised intracranial pressure
Simon, N.G.; Cremer, P.D.; Graves, S.R.
Medical Journal of Australia 194(12): 652-654
2011
ISSN/ISBN: 0025-729X PMID: 21692726 Document Number: 655872
Murine typhus (MT) occurs worldwide, but, in Australia, is only regularly diagnosed in south-west Western Australia. Meningoencephalitis is an uncommon complication of MT, often accompanied by rash or systemic involvement. We report a case of MT presenting exclusively with meningoencephalitis, raised intracranial pressure, papilloedema and bilateral 6th cranial nerve palsies. MT should be considered in patients with "aseptic" meningitis or meningoencephalitis, even in the absence of other typical features of a typhus-like illness.