Fatal rickettsial meningitis in Hong Kong: a need for rapid laboratory diagnosis.
A 22-year-old Chinese male, investigated elsewhere for fever and myalgia, was transferred to our hospital drowsy, unresponsive to commands and with a petechial rash. Partially treated meningococcal meningitis was suspected and high-dose antibiotics were immediately started. Rising Weil-Felix titres occurred too late for anti-rickettsial therapy to prevent a fatal outcome. Subsequent specific serology showed rising titres against Rickettsia conori. The desirability of more rapid and reliable methods of laboratory diagnosis of rickettsial infection is evident.
Young
R P
RP
Department of Medicine, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong.
Ip
M
M
Bassett
D C
DC
D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016920:Meningitis, Bacterial / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D012281:Rickettsia / Q000276:immunology; D012282:Rickettsia Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial