Rickettsia parkeri Rickettsiosis in Kidney Transplant Recipient, North Carolina, USA, 2023

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Transplant Medicine
• Microbiology

Background:

• Spotted fever rickettsiosis (SFR) is uncommon in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients.
• Previous SFR cases in SOT recipients were linked to tick bites months to years post-transplant.

Observation:

• A kidney transplant recipient in North Carolina developed a Rickettsia parkeri infection.
• The infection occurred during the immediate post-transplant period, which is unusual.

Findings:

• This case represents an early-onset Rickettsia parkeri infection in a kidney transplant recipient.
• The patient experienced a moderately severe infection.

Implications:

• This case expands the understanding of SFR in immunocompromised populations.
• It suggests the need for vigilance regarding tick-borne illnesses in SOT recipients, even early in the post-transplant phase.