[Rickettsiosis should be considered as a differential diagnosis in patients having fever related to travelling].
Rickettsial diseases are increasingly reported in international travellers. Prospective studies have shown that 2-4 % of travellers returning with fever have a rickettsiosis. We discuss epidemiology, clinical findings, diagnostics, treatment and prevention of rickettsiosis. In conclusion, rickettsiosis should be considered in the returned traveller with fever, especially when malaria, dengue fever and typhoid fever have been excluded. There is a possibility that doxycycline may have a prophylactic effect on rickettsiosis, but this thesis is only imaginary and needs further investigation.
Infektionsmedicinsk Afdeling Q, Aarhus Universitetshospital, Skejby, Brendstrupgårdsvej 100, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark. line-kibsgaard@hotmail.com
Line
L
Kibsgaard
Jens
J
Lindberg
Steen
S
Villumsen
Carsten Schade
CS
Larsen
D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001733:Bites and Stings / Q000382:microbiology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004318:Doxycycline / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005334:Fever / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012281:Rickettsia / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012282:Rickettsia Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D013987:Ticks / Q000382:microbiology; D014195:Travel
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D004318:Doxycycline