epidemic typhus

Etiology

Rickettsia prowazekii

Epidemiology

• exposure to body lice
• occurrence of recrudescent typhus as relapse after 30-50 years (Brill-Zinsser disease)

Clinical manifestations

• maculopapular skin eruption
  • generally spares the face, palms & soles
  • evolves from blanchable macules to confluent eruption with petechiae
  • rash of short duration in recrudescent typhus
• headaches
• myalgias
• milder clinical presentation in recrudescent form

Complications

• 40% mortality if untreated

Management

see Rocky Mountain spotted fever

More general terms

• typhus
• louse (Anoplura)-borne infection

More specific terms

• Brill-Zinsser disease (recrudescent typhus)

Additional terms

• Rickettsia prowazekii