Unusual Maculopapular Rash on the Scalp of a Patient with Mediterranean Spotted Fever

Ivan Baltadzhiev; Nedialka Popivanova

doi:10.1159/000495938

Unusual Maculopapular Rash on the Scalp of a Patient with Mediterranean Spotted Fever

Med Princ Pract. 2019;28(3):291-293. doi: 10.1159/000495938. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

Authors

Ivan Baltadzhiev¹, Nedialka Popivanova²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Infectious Diseases, Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Plovdiv, and Clinic of Infectious Diseases, St. George University Hospital, Plovdiv, Bulgaria, ivan_balt@yahoo.com.
² Department of Infectious Diseases, Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Plovdiv, and Clinic of Infectious Diseases, St. George University Hospital, Plovdiv, Bulgaria.

Abstract

Objective: To report a rare case of maculopapular rash on the scalp in a patient with Mediterranean spotted fever (MSF).

Clinical presentation and intervention: A 58-year-old woman with breast cancer and chemotherapy-induced alopecia contracted MSF. Her clinical features were typical, except for a maculopapular rash covering the scalp. The diagnosis of MSF was confirmed by immunofluorescent assay. The disease had a favorable course and the patient was discharged in good condition.

Conclusion: The rash on the scalp described in this report enriches our knowledge on the clinical characteristics of MSF.

Keywords: Alopecia; Maculopapular rash; Mediterranean spotted fever; Scalp.

Publication types

Case Reports

MeSH terms

Boutonneuse Fever / complications*
Female
Humans
Middle Aged
Parapsoriasis / etiology*
Scalp / pathology*