Rocky mountain spotted fever.
Rocky mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is a fulminant tick-borne infection by Rickettsia rickettsii. The classical diagnostic triad is fever, headache and rash in a patient with a recent tick bite. With prompt, appropriate antimicrobial therapy, patient outcomes are excellent. However, RMSF is often misdiagnosed, particularly during the initial stages of illness, and as a result, patient outcomes are sometimes suboptimal.
Sexton
Daniel J
DJ
Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA. sexto002@mc.duke.edu
Kaye
Keith S
KS
D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D012373:Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents