Rickettsia africae: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 20:27, 18 September 2020

Causes African tick-bite fever (ATBF)
Carried by Amblyomma hebraeum and A. variegatum ticks in sub-Saharan Africa and the West Indies
Most frequently-imported rickettsiosis

Most common symptoms include fever, headache, and myalgias, with a black eschar ("tache noire")
- Often have regional lymphadenopathy
- Can have multiple eschars
Rash less common
Subacute neuropathy

Serology is the mainstay of diagnosis, but may need paired acute and convalescent serologies demonstrating a fourfold rise in titres
- Compared to other Rickettsiae, antibodies appear late in convalescence
May see organism in skin biopsy
May be able to PCR blood, skin biopsy, or eschar base swabs

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+*Causes '''African tick-bite fever''' (ATBF)
+*Carried by ''Amblyomma hebraeum'' and ''A. variegatum'' ticks in sub-Saharan Africa and the West Indies
+*Most frequently-imported [[Rickettsioses|rickettsiosis]]
+==Clinical Manifestations==
-* Caused by ''Rickettsia africae''
-* Carried by ''Amblyomma hebraeum'' and ''A. variegatum'' ticks in sub-Saharan Africa and the West Indies
-* Most frequently-imported rickettsiosis
+*Most common symptoms include fever, headache, and myalgias, with a black eschar ("tache noire")
-= Clinical Presentation =
+**Often have regional lymphadenopathy
+**Can have multiple eschars
+*Rash less common
+*Subacute neuropathy
+== Diagnosis ==
-* Can have multiple black eschars with regional lymphadenitis
-* Rash less common
-* Subacute neuropathy
+* Serology is the mainstay of diagnosis, but may need paired acute and convalescent serologies demonstrating a fourfold rise in titres
+** Compared to other [[Rickettsiae]], antibodies appear late in convalescence
+* May see organism in skin biopsy
+* May be able to PCR blood, skin biopsy, or eschar base swabs
+== Management ==
+* Treated with [[Is treated by::doxycycline]] 100 mg PO bid for 7 to 10 days
+* Alternatives include [[Is treated by::chloramphenicol]], [[Is treated by::azithromycin]], and [[Is treated by::clarithromycin]]
+{{DISPLAYTITLE:''Rickettsia africae''}}
 [[Category:Rickettsioses]]
+[[Category:Vector-borne infections]]