title: [Rocky mountain spotted fever: report of two cases].
abstract: Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is an acute febrile illness caused by infection with Ricketsia Rickettsii, characterized by the presence of petechial rash. Even though the etiology, clinical characteristics and availability of effective antibiotics are known, RMSF related deaths have a prevalence of 4%. In its early stages RMFS can resemble many others infectious conditions and the diagnosis can be difficult. The present paper reports two patients with RMSF; these cases underscore the importance of prompt diagnosis and appropriate antimicrobial therapy, and consider RMSF as a differential diagnosis in any patient who develops fever and rash in an endemic area.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Urgencias y Consulta Externa, Hospital Infantil del Estado de Sonora, Mexico. ma_mtzm@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Miguel Angel
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Martínez-Medina
authors.forename: Guillermo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Padilla-Zamudio
authors.forename: Lilia Patricia
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Solís-Gallardo
authors.forename: Marcela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Guevara-Tovar
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002701:Chloramphenicol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004318:Doxycycline / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012373:Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002701:Chloramphenicol; D004318:Doxycycline