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Septic shock in a patient infected with Rickettsia sibirica mongolitimonae, Spain
V Ibarra1, A Portillo, A M Palomar
1Área de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Hospital San Pedro-Centro de Investigación Biomédica de La Rioja, La Rioja, Spain.
Abstract:
In 1996, the first human case of infection by Rickettsia sibirica subsp. mongolitimonae was described in France. Subsequently, other human cases were reported in the same country. The acronym LAR (lymphangitis-associated rickettsiosis) has been proposed to designate this disease because lymphangitis is one of the main clinical manifestations. Later, a few more cases were described in Portugal, South Africa, Egypt, Greece and Spain. We report a case of R. sibirica mongolitimonae infection as a cause of septic shock in a Spanish patient living in La Rioja (northern Spain). In addition, the broad clinical spectrum of this tick-borne disease is discussed.
Insights
Rickettsia sibirica subsp. mongolitimonae infection, also known as lymphangitis-associated rickettsiosis (LAR), can cause severe illness, including septic shock. This case highlights the diverse clinical presentations of this emerging tick-borne disease.
Area of Science:
- * Infectious Diseases
- * Bacteriology
- * Tick-borne Pathogens
Background:
- * Rickettsia sibirica subsp. mongolitimonae infection, first identified in France in 1996, is an emerging tick-borne illness.
- * Lymphangitis-associated rickettsiosis (LAR) is a proposed designation due to prominent lymphangitis in clinical cases.
- * Previous cases have been reported across Europe and Africa, indicating a growing geographical distribution.
Observation:
- * A case of Rickettsia sibirica subsp. mongolitimonae infection presenting as septic shock in a patient from La Rioja, Spain, is detailed.
- * This report expands the known clinical spectrum of LAR beyond lymphangitis.
- * The patient's geographic location in northern Spain contributes to understanding the disease's epidemiology.
Findings:
- * The study confirms Rickettsia sibirica subsp. mongolitimonae as a cause of severe systemic illness, specifically septic shock.
- * The findings underscore the variability in clinical manifestations associated with this rickettsial infection.
- * This case adds to the growing body of evidence on the prevalence and impact of LAR in Spain.
Implications:
- * Clinicians should consider LAR in patients with severe febrile illness, especially in endemic areas, even without typical lymphangitis.
- * Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are crucial for managing severe rickettsial infections like septic shock.
- * Further research is needed to fully understand the pathogenesis and clinical spectrum of Rickettsia sibirica subsp. mongolitimonae infections.
