Glossary of Medical and Health Terms

Boutonneuse Fever

Boutonneuse fever (also called Mediterranean spotted fever, fièvre boutonneuse, or Marseilles fever) is a fever as a result of a Rickettsial infection caused by the bacterium Rickettsia conorii and transmitted by the dog tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus.

Boutonneuse fever is endemic in many countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea.

After an incubation period of around seven days, the disease manifests abruptly with chills, high fevers, muscular and articular pains, severe headache and photophobia. The location of the bite forms a black crust (tache noire). Around the fourth day of the illness an exanthem (widespread rash) appears, first macular and then maculopapular and sometimes petechial.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis is made with serologic methods, either the classic Weill Felix test (agglutination of Proteus OX strains), either ELISA or immunofluorescence assays.

Treatment

The illness is treated with chloramphenicol or doxycycline.

Associated ICD-10 code: A77.1.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mediterranean_spotted_fever

MyQuestionsMatter is all about helping you make the most of your interaction with healthcare professionals. By recommending relevant questions for you to ask during an appointment or visit, we can help you to get the treatment you need and the service you expect.

Click here to generate a list of health questions now.