Murine typhus in Thailand: clinical features, diagnosis and treatment.
One hundred and thirty-seven patients with murine typhus were reviewed. A history of direct contact with rats was rare, and none gave a history of flea bite. No seasonal trend was observed. Clinical presentations included fever (100%), hepatomegaly (24%), rash (20%) and non-specific signs. Complications were uncommon but included jaundice, pneumonia, renal insufficiency and meningitis. Only two patients died. A single 200 mg dose of doxycycline significantly shortened the duration of fever: 79% were afebrile in 48 h, compared to 15% of the untreated group.
Silpapojakul
K
K
Department of Medicine, Songklanagarind Hospital, Prince of Songkla University, Thailand.
Chayakul
P
P
Krisanapan
S
S
Silpapojakul
K
K
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004318:Doxycycline / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014437:Typhus, Endemic Flea-Borne / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology
D004318:Doxycycline