Queensland tick typhus (QTT), caused by Rickettsia australis, is usually a relatively mild illness but can occasionally be severe. We describe three cases of probable QTT with unusual clinical features, namely splenic infarction, fulminant myopericarditis and severe leukocytoclastic vasculitis. QTT may present with uncommon clinical features in addition to the more common manifestations. A high index of suspicion enables specific antibiotic therapy that may hasten recovery.
Keywords: Rickettsia; infarction; myocarditis; splenic; typhus; vasculitis.
© 2013 The Authors; Internal Medicine Journal © 2013 Royal Australasian College of Physicians.