Borrelia recurrentis: Difference between revisions

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Borrelia recurrentis
(Initial creation separating from TBRF)
 
 
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** Causes '''Louse-borne relapsing fever''' (LBRF)
* Causes '''Louse-borne relapsing fever''' (LBRF)


== Microbiology ==
==Background==
=== Microbiology ===

* Spirochete
* [[Shape::spirochete|Spirochete]]
* Serotypes are determined by the outer membrane variable major proteins (vmp)
* Serotypes are determined by the outer membrane variable major proteins (vmp)
* Grow in modified Kelly medium and stained by Wright stain (in peripheral blood film)
* Grow in modified Kelly medium and stained by Wright stain (in peripheral blood film)


== Epidemiology ==
=== Epidemiology ===
* Vector-borne disease transmitted by the human body louse (''[[Vector::Pediculus humanus humanus]]'')

* LBRF was present nearly worldwide prior to World War II, but is now present in Ethiopia
* LBRF was present nearly worldwide prior to World War II, but is now present in Ethiopia
* Associated with homelessness and refugee camps
* Associated with homelessness and refugee camps


== Pathophysiology ==
=== Pathophysiology ===

* During febrile periods, spirochetes divide rapidly and cause a spirochetemia
* During febrile periods, spirochetes divide rapidly and cause a spirochetemia
* This is followed by an immune response to the vmp proteins, which clears the spirochetemia and the patient becomes afebrile
* This is followed by an immune response to the vmp proteins, which clears the spirochetemia and the patient becomes afebrile
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** This is the cause of the relapsing fever
** This is the cause of the relapsing fever


== Clinical Presentation ==
== Clinical Manifestations ==
* Incubation period of [[Usual incubation period::7 days]] (range [[Incubation period range::2 to 18 days]])

* Incubation period of 7 days (range 2 to 18 days)
* Relapsing fevers: febrile for 3 days, afebrile for 7 days
* Relapsing fevers: febrile for 3 days, afebrile for 7 days
* Some patients will have lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly, and a rash
* Some patients will have lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly, and a rash
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== Differential Diagnosis ==
== Differential Diagnosis ==

* [[Typhus]]
* [[Typhus]]
* '''[[Malaria]]'''
* '''[[Malaria]]'''
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== Diagnosis ==
== Diagnosis ==

* Often seen on blood film
* Often seen on blood film
** Giemsa or Wright stains
** Giemsa or Wright stains

Latest revision as of 02:04, 6 July 2022

  • Causes Louse-borne relapsing fever (LBRF)

Background

Microbiology

  • Spirochete
  • Serotypes are determined by the outer membrane variable major proteins (vmp)
  • Grow in modified Kelly medium and stained by Wright stain (in peripheral blood film)

Epidemiology

  • Vector-borne disease transmitted by the human body louse (Pediculus humanus humanus)
  • LBRF was present nearly worldwide prior to World War II, but is now present in Ethiopia
  • Associated with homelessness and refugee camps

Pathophysiology

  • During febrile periods, spirochetes divide rapidly and cause a spirochetemia
  • This is followed by an immune response to the vmp proteins, which clears the spirochetemia and the patient becomes afebrile
  • The vmp proteins undergo rearrangement, evading the immune system and allowing another spirochetemia
    • This is the cause of the relapsing fever

Clinical Manifestations

  • Incubation period of 7 days (range 2 to 18 days)
  • Relapsing fevers: febrile for 3 days, afebrile for 7 days
  • Some patients will have lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly, and a rash
  • Rare complications include lymphocytic meningitis, Bell palsy and other cranial nerve palsies, paralysis, seizure, uveitis, endophthalmitis, ARDS, and myocarditis
  • Can cause spontaneous abortion in pregnant women
  • May be septic, with multiple organ involvement
  • May have a Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction following empiric antibiotics

Differential Diagnosis

Diagnosis

  • Often seen on blood film
    • Giemsa or Wright stains
    • 70% sensitive during febrile period for TBRF, lower for LBRF
  • Acute-convalescent serology with IFA/EIA
    • May cross-react with Lyme disease
  • Can cause a false-positive VDRL
  • Can be cultured with modified Kelly medium

Management

  • First-line: Doxycycline 200 mg po once
  • Alternatives:
    • Penicillin G 400-800 kU IM once
    • Erythromycin 500 mg po once

Prevention

  • Can do post-exposure prophylaxis with doxycycline 200 mg po once followed by 100 mg daily for 4 days