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Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Panama
Dora Estripeaut1, María Gabriela Aramburú, Xavier Sáez-Llorens
1Hospital del Niño, Panama City, Panama.
Emerging Infectious Diseases
|January 26, 2008
Summary
A child in Panama died from Rocky Mountain spotted fever, a rare occurrence since the 1950s. The Rickettsia rickettsii bacteria was identified in tissues, linking it to strains in Central and South America.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
- Pathology
Background:
- Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is a tick-borne illness caused by Rickettsia rickettsii.
- While historically documented, recent pediatric cases in Panama are notably absent in scientific literature since the mid-20th century.
Observation:
- This report details a fatal pediatric case of RMSF in Panama.
- Diagnosis was confirmed through immunohistochemistry, PCR, and bacterial isolation from postmortem tissue samples.
Findings:
- The causative agent, Rickettsia rickettsii, was successfully isolated and identified.
- Molecular analysis revealed the Panamanian isolate is closely related to R. rickettsii strains found throughout Central and South America.
Implications:
- This case highlights the continued presence and potential resurgence of RMSF in the region.
- Understanding the genetic relatedness of circulating strains is crucial for epidemiological surveillance and control efforts.
- Reinforces the importance of diagnostic capabilities for Rickettsia rickettsii in pediatric febrile illnesses.
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