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Hsueh YL, Chen HF, Chang MC, Yen TY, Su CL, Chiu HC, Hu HC, Chung YT, Shu PY, Yang SL. Epidemiology of Murine Typhus in Taiwan from 2013 to 2020. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2024; 110:768-778. [PMID: 38471176 PMCID: PMC10993848 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.23-0155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Murine typhus is a flea-borne disease caused by Rickettsia typhi infection. The disease is a notifiable infectious disease in Taiwan. Specimens from suspected cases are required to be sent to the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for laboratory diagnosis. In this study, 204 cases of murine typhus were identified by bacterial isolation, real-time polymerase chain reaction, or indirect immunofluorescence assay between 2013 and 2020. The average incidence rate was 0.11/100,000 person-years (95% CI: 0.08-0.13). Murine typhus occurred throughout the year, but it was most prevalent in summer (May to August). The majority of patients were males (75%), residents of Kaohsiung city (31%), and worked in agriculture, forestry, fishing, and animal husbandry (27%). Fever was the most common symptom, present in 95.6% of patients, followed by headache (41%), myalgia (33%), and liver dysfunction (33%). Only 13% of patients had a rash. Up to 80% of cases were among hospitalized patients, and 43% of patients developed severe manifestations. Serological assays also indicated coinfection events. Seven patients showed a 4-fold increase in antibody titers against Orientia tsutsugamushi (N = 2), Coxiella burnetii (n = 2), and Leptospira (N = 3). In conclusion, murine typhus is an endemic and important zoonotic rickettsial disease in Taiwan that cannot be ignored. Further epidemiological surveillance and clinical characteristics should be continuously investigated to prevent and control murine typhus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeou-Lin Hsueh
- Center for Diagnostics and Vaccine Development, Centers for Disease Control, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Hsiang-Fei Chen
- Center for Diagnostics and Vaccine Development, Centers for Disease Control, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Mei-Chun Chang
- Center for Diagnostics and Vaccine Development, Centers for Disease Control, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Tsai-Ying Yen
- Center for Diagnostics and Vaccine Development, Centers for Disease Control, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Chien-Ling Su
- Center for Diagnostics and Vaccine Development, Centers for Disease Control, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Hsien-Chun Chiu
- Center for Diagnostics and Vaccine Development, Centers for Disease Control, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Huai-Chin Hu
- Center for Diagnostics and Vaccine Development, Centers for Disease Control, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Ya-Ting Chung
- Center for Diagnostics and Vaccine Development, Centers for Disease Control, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Pei-Yun Shu
- Center for Diagnostics and Vaccine Development, Centers for Disease Control, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Su-Lin Yang
- Center for Diagnostics and Vaccine Development, Centers for Disease Control, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taiwan, Republic of China
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Dye BV, Coba JA, Dayton CL, Cadena J, Anstead GM. Flea-Borne Typhus as a COVID-19 Mimic: A Report of Four Cases. Case Rep Infect Dis 2024; 2024:9914306. [PMID: 38384261 PMCID: PMC10881251 DOI: 10.1155/2024/9914306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2023] [Revised: 01/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Flea-borne typhus (FBT), due to Rickettsia typhi and R. felis, is an infection causing fever, headache, rash, hepatitis, thrombocytopenia, and diverse organ manifestations. Cough occurs in about 30% of patients with FBT, and chest X-ray abnormalities are seen in 17%. Severe pulmonary manifestations have also been reported in FBT, including adult respiratory distress syndrome and pulmonary embolism. Because of these pulmonary manifestations, FBT can mimic Coronavirus Illness 2019 (COVID-19), a febrile illness with prominent respiratory involvement. Flea-borne typhus and COVID-19 may also have similar laboratory abnormalities, including elevated ferritin, C-reactive protein, and D-dimer. However, elevated transaminase levels, rash, and thrombocytopenia are more common in FBT. Herein, we present four cases of patients with FBT who were initially suspected to have COVID-19. These cases illustrate the problem of availability bias, in which the clinician thinks a particular common condition (COVID-19 in this case) is more prevalent than it actually is.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bradley V. Dye
- Department of Medicine, University of Texas Health San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Jose Alejandro Coba
- San Antonio Infectious Diseases Consultants, 8042 Wurzbach Road, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Christopher L. Dayton
- Division of Pulmonary Diseases and Critical Care, Department of Medicine, University of Texas Health San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Texas Health San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Jose Cadena
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Texas Health San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Medical Service, South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Gregory M. Anstead
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Texas Health San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Medical Service, South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
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Olivo-Freites C, Davar K, Gallardo-Huizar O, Vijayan T, Younes R. Case Report: Cardiovascular Manifestations due to Flea-Borne Typhus. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2024; 110:150-154. [PMID: 38052087 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.22-0794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Flea-borne typhus is a vector-borne disease caused by Rickettsia typhi that occurs worldwide, except in Antarctica. In the United States, most cases are restricted to California, Hawaii, and Texas. The syndrome is characterized by nonspecific signs and symptoms: fever, headache, rash, arthralgia, cough, hepatosplenomegaly, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Although flea-borne typhus can cause pulmonary, neurological, and renal complications, the cardiovascular system is rarely affected. We present a case of endocarditis resulting from flea-borne typhus diagnosed by blood microbial cell-free DNA testing that required valve replacement and antibiotic therapy for 6 months. In addition, we review 20 cases of presumed and confirmed cardiovascular manifestations resulting from flea-borne typhus in the literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Olivo-Freites
- Division of Infectious Diseases, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Kusha Davar
- Division of Infectious Diseases, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Oscar Gallardo-Huizar
- Internal Medicine Department, Olive View Medical Center, University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Tara Vijayan
- Division of Infectious Diseases, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Ramee Younes
- Division of Infectious Diseases, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California
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Blanton LS. Murine Typhus: A Review of a Reemerging Flea-Borne Rickettsiosis with Potential for Neurologic Manifestations and Sequalae. Infect Dis Rep 2023; 15:700-716. [PMID: 37987401 PMCID: PMC10660532 DOI: 10.3390/idr15060063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Murine typhus is an acute febrile illness caused by Rickettsia typhi, an obligately intracellular Gram-negative coccobacillus. Rats (Rattus species) and their fleas (Xenopsylla cheopis) serve as the reservoir and vector of R. typhi, respectively. Humans become infected when R. typhi-infected flea feces are rubbed into flea bite wounds or onto mucous membranes. The disease is endemic throughout much of the world, especially in tropical and subtropical seaboard regions where rats are common. Murine typhus is reemerging as an important cause of febrile illness in Texas and Southern California, where an alternate transmission cycle likely involves opossums (Didelphis virginiana) and cat fleas (Ctenocephalides felis). Although primarily an undifferentiated febrile illness, a range of neurologic manifestations may occur, especially when treatment is delayed. Serology is the mainstay of diagnostic testing, but confirmation usually requires demonstrating seroconversion or a fourfold increase in antibody titer from acute- and convalescent-phase sera (antibodies are seldom detectable in the first week of illness). Thus, early empiric treatment with doxycycline, the drug of choice, is imperative. The purpose of this review is to highlight murine typhus as an important emerging and reemerging infectious disease, review its neurologic manifestations, and discuss areas in need of further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas S Blanton
- Department Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
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Bell DT. Deciphering the potential of plasma cell-free metagenomic next-generation sequencing using the Karius test. Curr Opin Infect Dis 2023; 36:420-425. [PMID: 37493238 DOI: 10.1097/qco.0000000000000942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/27/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Plasma cell-free metagenomic next-generation sequencing (cf-mNGS) is increasingly employed for the diagnosis of infection, but a consensus for optimal use has not been established. This minireview focuses on the commercially available Karius Test and is aimed at local leaders seeking to understand the complexities of cf-mNGS to make informed test utilization policies and better interpret results. RECENT FINDINGS Recent retrospective studies have reported how the Karius Test was applied at their institutions and identified areas of potential patient benefit. In addition, substantive studies have reported how this test performs in specific indications, particularly invasive fungal disease, endovascular infection and lower respiratory infection. SUMMARY Successfully integrating plasma cf-mNGS requires careful assessment of performance in the specific applications and patient populations in which it is used. Individual institutions must independently evaluate implementation strategies and determine where diagnostic yields outweigh the potential pitfalls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Drew T Bell
- Department of Laboratories, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, Washington, USA
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Zhang X, Chen H, Han D, Wu W. Clinical usefulness of metagenomic next-generation sequencing for Rickettsia and Coxiella burnetii diagnosis. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2023; 42:681-689. [PMID: 36997767 PMCID: PMC10172222 DOI: 10.1007/s10096-023-04586-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/01/2023]
Abstract
Rickettsia and Coxiella burnetii are zoonotic tick-borne pathogens that cause febrile illnesses in humans. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) is a new technology used to diagnose infectious diseases. However, clinical experience with applying the test to rickettsioses and Q fever is relatively limited. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the diagnostic performance of mNGS in detecting Rickettsia and C. burnetii. We retrospectively studied patients with rickettsioses or Q fever between August 2021 and July 2022. Peripheral blood mNGS and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were performed for all patients. Clinical data were retrieved for analysis. Thirteen patients were included in this study (eleven confirmed cases and two suspected cases). Signs and symptoms included fever (13, 100%), rash (7, 53.8%), muscle soreness (5, 38.5%), headache (4, 30.8%), skin eschar (3, 23.1%), and disturbance of consciousness (2, 15.4%). In addition, eight patients (61.6%) had thrombocytopenia, ten (76.9%) had liver function impairment, and two (15.4%) had renal function impairment. The results of mNGS revealed seven patients with R. japonica (53.8%), five with C. burneti (38.5%), two with R. heilongjiangensis (15.4%), and one with R. honei (7.7%). PCR results were positive in 11 patients (84.6%). After receiving doxycycline-based treatment, 12 (92.3%) patients returned to a normal temperature within 72 h. All patients were discharged in better health. Therefore, mNGS can help diagnose Rickettsia and C. burnetii and shorten the diagnosis time, especially for patients with atypical clinical manifestations and unclear epidemiologic evidence of a tick bite or exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Huixin Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Dongsheng Han
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
- Key Laboratory of Clinical In Vitro Diagnostic Techniques of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China.
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Wei Wu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310003, China.
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An 11-Year-old Boy With Fever and Rash. Pediatr Infect Dis J 2023; 42:85-86. [PMID: 36476535 DOI: 10.1097/inf.0000000000003643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Kaplan J, Centeno FH, Hayon J, Bottazzi ME, Hotez PJ, Weatherhead JE, Clark E, Woc-Colburn L. Reviewing a Decade of Outpatient Tropical Medicine in Houston, Texas. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2022; 106:1049-1056. [PMID: 35226869 PMCID: PMC8991353 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.21-1059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Tropical diseases cause significant morbidity among the world's poorest populations. Although more common in low- and middle-income countries, tropical diseases are also found among underserved populations living in high-income countries such as the United States. The National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine and the Harris Health System founded a tropical medicine clinic-the Harris Health Tropical Medicine Clinic (HHTMC)-in Houston in 2011 in response to tropical disease-related morbidity in Texas. We conducted a retrospective chart review of a sample of patients older than 18 years of age who were referred to the HHTMC between October 2011 and January 2020. Of the 523 patients reviewed, 185 (35.4%) had mycobacterial infections, 184 (35.2%) had parasitic infections, 38 (7.3%) had fungal infections, 16 (3.1%) had eosinophilia without a confirmed clinical diagnosis, 28 (5.4%) had bacterial infections, and 13 (2.5%) had viral infections. The most common infections overall were extrapulmonary and latent tuberculosis (n = 169), neurocysticercosis (n = 78), strongyloidiasis (n = 28), Chagas disease (n = 25), and schistosomiasis (n = 12). The epidemiology of tropical diseases in the United States is understudied at national and regional levels. This 10-year retrospective study contributes to bridging this knowledge gap by detailing the frequencies of tropical disease diagnoses made at the HHTMC in Houston, TX. These data highlight areas for advancement in the field of tropical medicine within the United States, such as improving front-line health-care provider education; establishing tropical medicine clinics in areas of high prevalence such as the Gulf Coast, Appalachia, and urban areas; and developing comprehensive, systematic national tropical disease screening programs and patient registries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julika Kaplan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | | | - Jesica Hayon
- Department of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Maria Elena Bottazzi
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
- National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Peter J. Hotez
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
- National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Jill E. Weatherhead
- Department of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
- National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Eva Clark
- Department of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
- National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
- Health Services Research, Michael E. DeBakey VA Health Services Research Center of Innovations, Houston, Texas
| | - Laila Woc-Colburn
- National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
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An Update on the Laboratory Diagnosis of Rickettsia spp. Infection. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10101319. [PMID: 34684267 PMCID: PMC8541673 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10101319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 09/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Rickettsia species causing human illness are present globally and can cause significant disease. Diagnosis and identification of this intracellular bacteria are challenging with many available diagnostic modalities suffering from several shortcomings. Detection of antibodies directed against Rickettsia spp. via serological methods remains widely used with a broad range of sensitivity and specificity values reported depending on the assay. Molecular methods, including polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing, enables species-specific identification with a fast turnaround time; however, due to resource requirements, use in some endemic settings is limited. Reports on the use of next-generation sequencing (NGS) and metagenomics to diagnose Rickettsia spp. infection have been increasing. Despite offering several potential advantages in the diagnosis and surveillance of disease, genomic approaches are currently only limited to reference and research laboratories. Continued development of Rickettsia spp. diagnostics is required to improve disease detection and epidemiological surveillance, and to better understand transmission dynamics.
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