Rickettsia mongolotimonae Infection in South Africa

ABSTRACT

We report the first laboratory-confirmed case of Rickettsia mongolotimonae infection in Africa. The patient sought treatment for an eschar on his toe; lymphangitis; severe headaches; and fever subsequently developed. After a regimen of doxycycline; symptoms rapidly resolved. R. mongolotimonae infection was diagnosed retrospectively by serologic tests and molecular-based detection of the organism in biopsy specimens of eschar material: