Diagnosis of Murine Typhus by Serology in Peninsular Malaysia: A Case Report Where Rickettsial Illnesses, Leptospirosis and Dengue Co-Circulate.

Abstract

Murine typhus is a rarely diagnosed cause of acute febrile illness in Malaysia, and its true disease burden is unknown. We report a case of an acute murine typhus infection in a patient living in a small city in Peninsular Malaysia, presenting with fever, rash, and headache. Unresponsive to the initial empirical treatment for leptospirosis, he showed a rapid response to doxycycline when murine typhus was diagnosed later. This case highlights the importance of considering murine typhus as a diagnostic in cases of acute febrile illness in urban and sub-urban areas, such as that of in Peninsular Malaysia.

• Authors: Yazli Yuhana, Ampai Tanganuchitcharnchai, Pimpan Sujariyakul, Piengchan Sonthayanon, Kesinee Chotivanich, Daniel H Paris, Sasithon Pukrittayakamee, Stuart D Blacksell, Borimas Hanboonkunupakarn
• Journal: Tropical medicine and infectious disease (Trop Med Infect Dis) Vol. 4 Issue 1 (Jan 31 2019) ISSN: 2414-6366 [Electronic] Switzerland
• PMID: 30708964 (Publication Type: Case Reports)