Rickettsia conorii subsp. israelensis infection in a pediatric patient presenting skin rash and abdominal pain: a case report from Southeast Iran

BMC Infect Dis. 2024 Jan 22;24(1):114. doi: 10.1186/s12879-024-09002-y.

Abstract

Background: The healthcare system in Iran appears to overlook Mediterranean spotted fever (MSF) as an endemic disease, particularly in pediatric cases, indicating the need for greater attention and awareness.

Case presentation: A six-year-old patient with fever, abdominal pain, headache, skin rashes, diarrhea, vomiting, and black eschar (tache noire) from southeast Iran was identified as a rickettsiosis caused by Rickettsia conorii subsp. israelensis through clinical and laboratory assessments, including IFA and real-time PCR. The patient was successfully treated with doxycycline.

Conclusions: Symptoms like rash, edema, eschar, and abdominal pain may indicate the possibility of MSF during the assessment of acute febrile illness, IFA and real-time PCR are the primary diagnostic methods for this disease.

Keywords: Child; Iran; Mediterranean spotted fever; Pediatric; Rickettsia conorii.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abdominal Pain / etiology
  • Boutonneuse Fever* / complications
  • Boutonneuse Fever* / diagnosis
  • Boutonneuse Fever* / drug therapy
  • Child
  • Exanthema* / etiology
  • Fever
  • Humans
  • Iran
  • Rickettsia*

Supplementary concepts

  • Rickettsia conorii subsp. israelensis