Epidemic typhus imported from Algeria.
We report epidemic typhus in a French patient returning from Algeria. The diagnosis was confirmed by serologic testing and the isolation of Rickettsia prowazekii in blood. Initially the patient was thought to have typhoid fever. Because body lice are prevalent in industrialized regions, the introduction of typhus to pediculosis-endemic areas poses a serious public health risk.
Niang
M
M
Hopital Felix Houphoüet Boigny, Marseilles, France.
Brouqui
P
P
Raoult
D
D
D000368:Aged; D000462:Algeria; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004318:Doxycycline / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012283:Rickettsia prowazekii / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014195:Travel; D014438:Typhus, Epidemic Louse-Borne / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D004318:Doxycycline