title: Macrophagic activation syndrome related to an infection by Rickettsia conorii in a child.
abstract: Since the Arab Spring, a resurgence of zoonotic diseases such as rickettsiosis, endemic in the Mediterranean basin, has been observed. It preferentially infects microvascular endothelial cells of mammalian hosts inducing vasculitis with endothelial injury. Rickettsioses are considered benign infectious diseases. Severe systemic manifestations have been reported and are often explained by a delay in diagnosis. We present a case of hemophagocytic syndrome occurring in a 4-year-old Libyan girl as a complication of Mediterranean spotted fever. Rickettsial infection was confirmed by serology and the patient was treated with clarithromycin, with a favorable outcome.
authors.affiliation: Hedi Chaker hospital, pediatric department, Sfax, Tunisia; Faculty of medicine, Sfax, Tunisia.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hsairi
authors.affiliation: Hedi Chaker hospital, pediatric department, Sfax, Tunisia; Faculty of medicine, Sfax, Tunisia. Electronic address: benameursalma@gmail.com.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ben Ameur
authors.affiliation: Hedi Chaker hospital, pediatric department, Sfax, Tunisia; Faculty of medicine, Sfax, Tunisia.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Alibi
authors.affiliation: Hedi Chaker hospital, pediatric department, Sfax, Tunisia; Faculty of medicine, Sfax, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Belfitouri
authors.affiliation: Hedi Chaker hospital, pediatric department, Sfax, Tunisia; Faculty of medicine, Sfax, Tunisia.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Maaloul
authors.affiliation: Habib-Bourguiba hospital, microbiological laboratory, Sfax, Tunisia; Faculty of medicine, Sfax, Tunisia.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Znazen
authors.affiliation: Hedi Chaker hospital, pediatric department, Sfax, Tunisia; Faculty of medicine, Sfax, Tunisia.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Chabchoub
authors.affiliation: Habib-Bourguiba hospital, microbiological laboratory, Sfax, Tunisia; Faculty of medicine, Sfax, Tunisia.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hammami
authors.affiliation: Hedi Chaker hospital, pediatric department, Sfax, Tunisia; Faculty of medicine, Sfax, Tunisia.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hachicha
mesh_terms: D001907:Boutonneuse Fever / Q000150:complications*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D055501:Macrophage Activation Syndrome / Q000382:microbiology*; D020114:Rickettsia conorii