Neurological manifestation of Brazilian spotted fever in childhood

Rev Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo. 2024 Mar 18:66:e16. doi: 10.1590/S1678-9946202466016. eCollection 2024.

Abstract

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is a rickettsial disease caused by the bacteria Rickettsia rickettsii. In Brazil, the disease is known as Brazilian spotted fever (BSF), being the most significant tick-borne disease in the country. Among the affected patients, only 5% of cases occur in children aged one to nine years. Typical symptoms of the disease are fever, rash, headache and digestive symptoms. Neurological manifestations such as seizures, aphasia and hemiparesis have been described in few patients. This study aimed to describe the case of an infant diagnosed with BSF who presented severe signs of neurological manifestation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Brazil
  • Child
  • Fever
  • Humans
  • Rickettsia rickettsii
  • Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever* / complications
  • Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever* / diagnosis
  • Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever* / microbiology