We encountered a case of severe murine typhus complicated by acute respiratory distress syndrome. To determine worldwide prevalence of such cases, we reviewed the literature and found that respiratory symptoms occur in ≈30% of murine typhus patients. In disease-endemic areas, murine typhus should be considered for patients with respiratory symptoms and fever.
Keywords: Rickettsia typhi; acute respiratory distress syndrome; bacteria; endemic flea-borne; murine typhus; respiratory insufficiency; typhus.