Severe Rickettsiosis with Neuromeningeal Involvement : About a Case with Review of the Literature

Abstract

Mediterranean spotted fever (MSF) is a rickettsial disease of the spotted group caused by rickettsia conorii. This zoonosis is known to have a benign course but can be complicated in severe forms by neurological damage, which sometimes makes it so serious. We report an observation of a 45-year-old female patient, who presented with headaches, vomiting evolving in a febrile context, in whom the clinical examination showed an inoculation chancre associated with diffuse skin lesions, a sub-stiff neck, the lumbar puncture showed a lymphocytic meningitis, after the administration of doxycycline the evolution was favorable.