Atypical papulovesicular rash due to infection with Rickettsia conorii

We present an unusual case of Rickettsia conorii infection that was associated with cutaneous papulovesicular lesions on a patient who had returned from the bushveld of South Africa. The lesions were diffusely scattered across the trunk, extremities, and both palms. Several recent reports have documented similar papulovesicular or pustulovesicular rashes that occurred on travelers returning from southern Africa. These rashes resemble the lesions of rickettsialpox. Evidence suggests that these atypical exanthems may be due to variant strains of R. conorii or to an unusual host response to infection with this organism; thus, infection with R. conorii should be included in the list of diseases that cause poxlike lesions.