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Murine typhus in South Texas children
J E Fergie1, K Purcell, D Wanat
1Driscoll Children's Hospital, Corpus Christi, TX 78411, USA. fergiej@driscollchildrens.org
The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal
|July 6, 2000
Summary
Murine typhus, a Rickettsia typhi infection, remains a significant cause of childhood fever and hospitalization in South Texas. Children experience symptoms like fever, rash, and headache, but respond well to antibiotics like doxycycline.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Zoonotic Infections
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Murine typhus, caused by Rickettsia typhi, is a zoonotic infection.
- Historically endemic in the US, it is now rarely reported, primarily in South Texas and Southern California.
- The illness presents as a febrile illness with headache and rash, well-documented in adults.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the epidemiology and clinical presentation of murine typhus in children.
- To define laboratory findings, hospital course, and treatment response in pediatric patients.
- To understand the disease burden in children admitted to a South Texas hospital.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective chart review of children diagnosed with murine typhus.
- Study period: January 1, 1990, to June 30, 1998.
- Inclusion criteria: 30 children (ages 2-17) discharged with a murine typhus diagnosis.
Main Results:
- Most admissions occurred between May and November (80%).
- Common symptoms included fever (100%), rash (80%), and headache (77%).
- Key laboratory findings: elevated ESR (75%), elevated transaminases (67%), hyponatremia (66%), and increased immature leukocytes (63%).
Conclusions:
- Murine typhus continues to be an important cause of pediatric fever and hospitalization in South Texas.
- Pediatric symptoms mirror adult presentations: fever, rash, and headache.
- Children demonstrate rapid recovery with doxycycline or tetracycline therapy.