A case of Mediterranean spotted fever associated with severe respiratory distress syndrome.
Mediterranean spotted fever (MSF) is usually a mild endemic rickettsial disease occurring in southern Croatia. We have reported the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of an acute MSF case associated with severe respiratory distress syndrome and hemodynamical instability. The patient recovered completely after antimicrobial treatment. Indirect immunofluorescence assay (FOCUS Diagnostics Inc.) was performed to detect IgM and IgG antibodies to Rickettsia conorii. A significant increase of both IgM and IgG antibody titres found in paired acute- and convalescent-phase serum confirmed the diagnosis of acute MSF.
Department of Infectious Diseases, Zadar General Hospital, Zadar, Croatia; Department of Microbiology, Split University School of Medicine, Split, Croatia. Electronic address: boris.dzelalija@zd.t-com.hr.
Boris
B
Dželalija
Department of Microbiology, Split University School of Medicine, Split, Croatia.
Volga
V
Punda-Polić
Institute of Public Health, Zadar, Croatia.
Alan
A
Medić
School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.
Boris
B
Mraović
Intensive Care Unit, Zadar General Hospital, Zadar, Croatia; Faculty of Medicine, University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia.
Tatjana
T
Šimurina
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D001907:Boutonneuse Fever / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D002939:Ciprofloxacin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017523:Croatia; D004318:Doxycycline / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D020114:Rickettsia conorii / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D002939:Ciprofloxacin; D004318:Doxycycline
Mediterranean spotted fever; Respiratory distress syndrome; Rickettsia conorii