Murine typhus in Greece: epidemiological, clinical, and therapeutic data from 83 cases.
Over a period of 5 years (1993-97), 83 cases of murine typhus were identified and studied in the city of Chania, on the island of Crete. Of these cases, 4.8% were registered in 1993, 19.3% in 1994, 47.0% in 1995, 10.8% in 1996, and 18.1% in 1997. The greatest incidence of the disease occurred during the third trimester of the year. Direct contact with rats was noted in 45 (54.2%) of 83 patients. Two strains of Rickettsia typhi were isolated in cell cultures. The predominant clinical manifestations were: fever (100%), headache (88%), chills (86.7%), and rash (79.5%). In 4 of the patients (4.8%), the disease was complicated by acute renal failure, and in 4 other patients (4.8%), by pulmonary consolidations. The outcome under appropriate treatment was favourable for all patients.
Gikas
Achilleas
A
WHO Collaborating Centre, University Hospital of Heraklion, 1352/71110 Crete, Greece. gikas@med.uoc.gr
Doukakis
Stephanos
S
Pediaditis
John
J
Kastanakis
Serafim
S
Psaroulaki
Anna
A
Tselentis
Yannis
Y
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000740:Anemia / Q000382:microbiology; D019353:Endemic Diseases; D005260:Female; D006115:Greece / Q000453:epidemiology; D006529:Hepatomegaly / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012286:Rickettsia typhi / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012621:Seasons; D013163:Splenomegaly / Q000382:microbiology; D014437:Typhus, Endemic Flea-Borne / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology