Rickettsial Infection Flashcards
Rickettsia
Small, obligate intracellular bacterial parasite Gram negative Non-motile Similar to chlamydia Circulate in the bloodstream
Rickettsial pathophysiology
Vasculitis, rash causes by damage of endothelial lining of blood vessels.
Edema and hemorrhage
TBRD
Tick-bourne rickettsial diseases
Rocky mountain spotted fever (RMSF)
Acute onset of nonspecific symptoms FLS
Rash appears 2-6 days later
Macules progressing to petechiae
Felix wheel
Test for rickettsial diseases
Rocky mtn spotted fever rash
Rickettsia Rickettsii
***Typically starts on hands and feet and moves inward to the trunk
90% of children have rash
RMSF workup
CBC
Chem panel
May need spinal tap
RMSF Tx
DO not delay
Doxycycline is drug of choice
5-7 days of treatment
Avoid ticks - - - Duh…
Epidemic Louse-Bourne Typhus (ELBT)
Ricketsia prowazekii
Louse is the vector, along with flying squirrel
Crowded, unsanitary, famine, war.
Considered bioterrorism agent
ELBT presentation
FLS for 10-14 days
Arthralgias
ELBT Workup
CBC
CMP
CXR
Brill-Zinsser DIsease
Recurrent ELBP infection.
Slower onset
Can occur years later
ELBT Tx
Doxycycline
Chloramphenicol
Endemic (Murine) Typhus
Rickettsia Typhi Transmitted form rat to rat Found in urban areas Gradual onset, less severe Same dx and tx as for ELBT
Rickettsialpox
Rickettsia akari Transmitted from mites that ride on mice Mild and self-limited Bump turns into a blister, days later fever and HA develop Tx with doxycycline
