RESUMEN
We report the first case of rickettsialpox caused by Rickettsia akari in the Netherlands. The diagnosis was suspected based on clinical grounds and was confirmed by Western blot analysis with cross-adsorption. Because the arthropod vector (Liponyssoides sanguineus) is ubiquitous, we suspect that the disease is under-diagnosed in non-endemic areas.
Asunto(s)
Rickettsia akari/patogenicidad , Infecciones por Rickettsiaceae/diagnóstico , Infecciones por Rickettsiaceae/microbiología , Animales , Vectores Artrópodos , Enfermedades Transmisibles Emergentes/diagnóstico , Enfermedades Transmisibles Emergentes/microbiología , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Ácaros/microbiología , Países BajosRESUMEN
Rickettsialpox is an acute, self-limited, febrile illness caused by Rickettsia akari and transmitted by Liponyssoides sanguineus, a mite that infests the common house mouse, Mus musculus. Liver involvement in rickettsialpox has received little attention, although hepatitis has been reported in several other rickettsial infections. In this report, we describe two patients with rickettsialpox who had acute hepatitis that resolved completely. In the appropriate clinical setting, rickettsialpox should be considered in the differential diagnosis of hepatitis.