| Murine typhus | |
|---|---|
| Classification and external resources | |
| ICD-10 | A75.2 |
| ICD-9 | 081.0 |
| DiseasesDB | 32211 |
| MeSH | D014437 |
Murine typhus (also called endemic typhus[1]) is a form of typhus transmitted by fleas, usually on rats. (This is in contrast to epidemic typhus, which is usually transmitted by lice.
Contents |
Causes
It is caused by the bacteria Rickettsia typhi, and is transmitted by the fleas that infest rats. [2]
Less often, endemic typhus is caused by Rickettsia felis and transmitted by fleas carried by cats or opossums. [3]
Symptoms
Symptoms of endemic typhus include headache, fever, chills, myalgia, nausea, vomiting, and cough.
Symptoms may resemble those of measles, rubella, or possibly Rocky Mountain spotted fever.[4]
Treatment and prognosis
Endemic typhus is highly treatable with antibiotics.[2] Most people recover fully, but death may occur in the elderly, severely disabled or patients with a depressed immune system.
References
- ^ Rapini, Ronald P.; Bolognia, Jean L.; Jorizzo, Joseph L. (2007). Dermatology: 2-Volume Set. St. Louis: Mosby. pp. 1130. ISBN 1-4160-2999-0.
- ^ a b Information on Murine Typhus (Fleaborne Typhus) or Endemic Typhus Texas Department of State Health Services (2005).
- ^ Journal of Clinical Microbiology. 30(7):1758-62, 1992
- ^ Current Medical Dianosis & Treatment 1999 ed. Lawrence M. Tierney, Jr., MD, Stephen J. McPhee, MD, Maxine A. Papadakis, MD, Appleton & Lange, 1999. pp.1286 ISBN 0-8385-1550-9
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