Other Rickettsia Species

An 11-Year-old Boy With Fever and Rash

“…Fleas (mainly Xenopsylla cheopis ) get secondarily infected when they bite rodents and ingest blood. R typhi then establishes in flea’s midgut and when fleas bite humans and defecate, contaminated feces can be inoculated into skin cuts or scrapes and lead to human infection; alternatively, the infection can be acquired by inhalation of dry rat feces [1]. Murine typhus is seen mainly in areas with tropical and subtropical climates.…”

“…There is no vaccine against R typhi . Prevention includes environmental and personal protective measures to avoid contact with rodents and use of repellents; pets should also be treated regularly for fleas [1,2].…”