Atypical fulminant Rickettsia rickettsii infection (Brazilian spotted fever) presenting as septic shock and adult respiratory distress syndrome
Braz. j. infect. dis
; 6(2): 91-96, Apr. 2002.
Article
in English
| LILACS
| ID: lil-332304
Responsible library:
BR1.1
RESUMO
Brazilian spotted fever, caused by Rickettsia rickettsii, has been increasingly reported in Brazil especially in the southeastern states. The severe and fulminant forms of the disease are not unusual but most of the reported fatal cases have shown some typical clinical clue, which leads the attending physician to a correct diagnosis. We report a probable case of atypical fulminant Brazilian spotted fever that presented full-blown septic shock associated with Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) and delayed uncharacteristic rash with an over four-fold increase in reciprocal IgM, but not IgG titer against Rickettsia rickettsii. Brazilian practitioners should be aware of the possibility of Brazilian spotted fever as a cause of fulminant primary sepsis with ARDS; improved laboratory methods are necessary for the rapid diagnosis of such cases.
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
LILACS
Main subject:
Respiratory Distress Syndrome
/
Rickettsia rickettsii
/
Rickettsiaceae Infections
/
Shock, Septic
Type of study:
Diagnostic study
Limits:
Adolescent
/
Humans
/
Male
Country/Region as subject:
South America
/
Brazil
Language:
English
Journal:
Braz. j. infect. dis
Journal subject:
Communicable Diseases
Year:
2002
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Brazil
Institution/Affiliation country:
Barbacena Medical School/BR
/
Federal University of Minas Gerais/BR
/
Santa Casa de Misericórdia Hospital/BR
/
University of São Paulo/BR