[Meningitis revealing Rickettsia typhi infection]
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Updated: Jul 18, 2026

An Electroporation Method to Transform Rickettsia spp. with a Fluorescent Protein-Expressing Shuttle Vector in Tick Cell Lines
Published on: October 11, 2022
A Toumi1, C Loussaief, S Ben Yahia
1Service de maladies infectieuses, CHU Fattouma-Bourguiba, 5019 Monastir, Tunisie.
Introduction:
Neurological manifestations are rarely observed in murine typhus. We present a case of meningitis caused by Rickettsia typhi.
Exegesis:
We report a case of Tunisian 57-year-old woman admitted for suspicion of meningitis. Clinical examination revealed fever at 39,5 degrees C and nuchal rigidity. There were no focal neurologic signs, cutaneous rash or eschar. Lumbar puncture showed clear cerebrospinal fluid containing normal glucose, 0,48 g/l protein and 30 WBC (78% lymphocyte). Gram-stained smear and culture were negative. Serology confirmed the diagnosis. The patient was initially treated by ampicillin 12 g daily but remained febrile. Retinal lesions were detected on ophthalmic examination, suggesting rickettsial infection. Clinical outcome was good after 7-day treatment with oral ciprofloxacin 1,5 g daily. The mean follow-up was six months.
Conclusion:
Murine typhus is an endemic zoonosis. Neurological manifestations were uncommon. An ophthalmic examination is recommended if rickettsiosis was suspected.
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