[Mediterranean boutonneuse fever in children. Study of 139 cases]

A prospective study of 139 children suffering mediterranean spotted fever, all of them hospitalized during the summer time of the last five years is presented. Clinical features were high fever, maculopapulous rash and black eschar ("tàche noire"). Among analytical findings, leucocyte count was decreased in a 38.8% of children during the first week of illness. Weil-Felix test was positive in 47.2% for OX-2 and 52.7% for OX-19 of cases. The indirect immunofluorescence for rickettsial conorii was positive in 100% of cases in the second determination. 74.1% of patients received antimicrobial therapy and 25.9% symptomatic treatment. All children cured without complications.