[Rocky Mountain spotted fever in children: clinical and epidemiological features].
OBJECTIVE
To report the clinical features of the Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) in children of southern Sonora, Mexico.


METHODS
Nine cases were studied at the Sonora State Children's Hospital. One case was defined by clinical features and positive serological tests (indirect immunofluorescence assay or reaction to Proteus OX 19). Demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients were registered.


RESULTS
The study subjects were children from two to twelve years ofage. All patients have had contact with tick-infested dogs and had fever, as well as petechial rash. Laboratory findings included high levels of hepatic aminotransferase, hyponatremia and thrombocytopenia. Therapy with chloramphenicol and doxyciclyne was administered after the first seven days of the onset of illness. The mortality rate was 22%.


CONCLUSIONS
This study supports the presence of RMSF in the state of Sonora, Mexico, which should be considered as a public health hazard, requiring immediate actions for prevention and control.
Martínez-Medina
Miguel Angel
MA
Servicio de Urgencias y Consulta Externa, Hospital Infantil del Estado de Sonora, Hermosillo, Son., México.
Alvarez-Hernández
Gerardo
G
Padilla-Zamudioa
José Guillermo
JG
Rojas-Guerra
Maria Guadalupe
MG
D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001733:Bites and Stings / Q000150:complications; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002701:Chloramphenicol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004285:Dogs / Q000469:parasitology; D004318:Doxycycline / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico / Q000453:epidemiology; D012373:Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality; D013987:Ticks
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002701:Chloramphenicol; D004318:Doxycycline