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Zamora Gonzalez RA, Mayo MS, Jeng AC. Severe flea-borne typhus complicated by hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis: A case report and review of literature. IDCases 2024; 36:e01955. [PMID: 38646601 PMCID: PMC11031783 DOI: 10.1016/j.idcr.2024.e01955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Flea-borne typhus (FBT), also known as murine typhus, is a zoonotic infection caused by R. typhi with world-wide distribution. In the United States, the infection is uncommon but remains endemic in some areas, including Los Angeles County. It typically manifests as a benign acute febrile illness but can be complicated in a minority of cases. Associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) has been described in a limited number of cases. Here, we present a case of a patient with FBT complicated by HLH treated empirically with doxycycline with subsequent resolution of HLH. Also included is a review of the literature of other published cases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mark S. Mayo
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
| | - Arthur C. Jeng
- Infectious Diseases, Olive View-UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles, USA
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Jevtic D, da Silva MD, Haylock AB, Nordstrom CW, Oluic S, Pantic N, Nikolajevic M, Nikolajevic N, Kotseva M, Dumic I. Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) in Patients with Tick-Borne Illness: A Scoping Review of 98 Cases. Infect Dis Rep 2024; 16:154-169. [PMID: 38525759 PMCID: PMC10961790 DOI: 10.3390/idr16020012] [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: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) secondary to tick-borne infections is a rare but potentially life-threatening syndrome. We performed a scoping review according to PRISMA guidelines to systematically analyze the existing literature on the topic. A total of 98 patients were included, with a mean age of 43.7 years, of which 64% were men. Most cases, 31%, were reported from the USA. Immunosuppression was present in 21.4%, with the most common cause being previous solid organ transplantation. Constitutional symptoms were the most common, observed in 83.7% of the patients, while fever was reported in 70.4% of cases. Sepsis was present in 27.6%. The most common laboratory abnormalities in this cohort were thrombocytopenia in 81.6% of patients, while anemia, leukopenia, and leukocytosis were observed in 75.5%, 55.1%, and 10.2%, respectively. Liver enzyme elevation was noted in 63.3% of cases. The H-score was analyzed in 64 patients, with the mean value being 209, and bone marrow analysis was performed in 61.2% of patients. Ehrlichia spp. was the main isolated agent associated with HLH in 45.9%, followed by Rickettsia spp. in 14.3% and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in 12.2%. Notably, no patient with Powassan virus infection or Lyme borreliosis developed HLH. The most common complications were acute kidney injury (AKI) in 35.7% of patients, shock with multiple organ dysfunction in 22.5%, encephalopathy/seizure in 20.4%, respiratory failure in 16.3%, and cardiac complications in 7.1% of patients. Treatment included antibiotic therapy alone in 43.9%, while 5.1% of patients were treated with immunosuppressants alone. Treatment with both antibiotics and immunosuppressants was used in 51% of patients. Appropriate empiric antibiotics were used in 62.2%. In 43.9% of cases of HLH due to tick-borne disease, patients received only antimicrobial therapy, and 88.4% of those recovered completely without the need for immunosuppressive therapy. The mortality rate in our review was 16.3%, and patients who received inappropriate or delayed empiric therapy had a worse outcome. Hence, we suggest empiric antibiotic treatment in patients who are suspected of having HLH due to tick-borne disease or in whom diagnostic uncertainty persists due to diagnostic delay in order to minimize mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorde Jevtic
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; (D.J.); (A.B.H.)
- Department of Medicine, NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst, New York, NY 11373, USA
| | | | - Alberto Busmail Haylock
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; (D.J.); (A.B.H.)
- Department of Medicine, NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst, New York, NY 11373, USA
| | - Charles W. Nordstrom
- Department of Hospital Medicine, Mayo Clinic Health System, Eau Claire, WI 54703, USA;
- Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, MN 55902, USA
| | - Stevan Oluic
- Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic Health System, Mankato, MN 56001, USA;
| | - Nikola Pantic
- Clinic of Hematology, University Clinical Center of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia;
| | - Milan Nikolajevic
- School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (M.N.); (N.N.)
| | - Nikola Nikolajevic
- School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (M.N.); (N.N.)
| | - Magdalena Kotseva
- Internal Medicine Residency, Franciscan Health, Olympia Fields, Chicago, IL 60461, USA;
| | - Igor Dumic
- Department of Hospital Medicine, Mayo Clinic Health System, Eau Claire, WI 54703, USA;
- Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, MN 55902, 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 PMCID: PMC10793017 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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Dzul-Rosado K, Lavín-Sánchez DG, Hernández GÁ, Gómez-Carro S, Puerto-Manzano FI. Rickettsia rickettsii and Rickettsia typhi in hospitalized children diagnosed with Pediatric Multisystemic Inflammatory Syndrome in Merida, Yucatan. Braz J Infect Dis 2024; 28:103707. [PMID: 38070540 PMCID: PMC10826168 DOI: 10.1016/j.bjid.2023.103707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) presents with fever, fatigue, elevated inflammatory markers (acute phase reactants), and a history of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 or positive antibodies to SARS-CoV-2. As the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded, the risk of MIS-C in the pediatric population increased. However, exposure to other viruses and the presence of SARS-CoV-2 positive antibodies in children hospitalized for various pathogen-associated illnesses will also remain common and may complicate differential diagnoses with diseases endemic to the region such as rickettsial diseases. The objective was to highlight the desirability of medical personnel systematically incorporating rickettsiosis as a differential diagnosis for MIS-C when studying a child with fever, non-specific symptoms, and elevated inflammatory markers. In conclusion MIS-C should be considered in children with elevated inflammatory markers when there is a history of COVID-19 and they also meet criteria that have already been established by international agencies, such as CDC and WHO.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karla Dzul-Rosado
- Hideyo Noguchi Regional Investigation Center, Faculty of Medicine, Autonomous University of Yucatan, Mérida, México.
| | | | | | - Salvador Gómez-Carro
- Agustín O' Horan General Hospital, Department of Health, Mérida, Yucatán, México
| | - Fernando I Puerto-Manzano
- Hideyo Noguchi Regional Investigation Center, Faculty of Medicine, Autonomous University of Yucatan, Mérida, México
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Alarcón J, Sanosyan A, Contreras ZA, Ngo VP, Carpenter A, Hacker JK, Probert WS, Terashita D, Balter S, Halai UA. Fleaborne Typhus-Associated Deaths - Los Angeles County, California, 2022. MMWR. MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY WEEKLY REPORT 2023; 72:838-843. [PMID: 37535465 PMCID: PMC10414999 DOI: 10.15585/mmwr.mm7231a1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
Fleaborne typhus (also known as murine typhus), a widely distributed vectorborne zoonosis caused by Rickettsia typhi, is a moderately severe, but infrequently fatal illness; among patients who receive doxycycline, the case-fatality rate is <1%. Fleaborne typhus is a mandated reportable condition in California. Reported fleaborne typhus cases in Los Angeles County have been increasing since 2010, with the highest number (171) reported during 2022. During June-October 2022, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health learned of three fleaborne typhus-associated deaths. This report describes the clinical presentation, illness course, and methods used to diagnose fleaborne typhus in these three cases. Severe fleaborne typhus manifestations among these cases included hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, a rare immune hyperactivation syndrome that can occur in the infection setting; myocarditis; and septic shock with disseminated intravascular coagulation. Increased health care provider and public health awareness of the prevalence and severity of fleaborne typhus and of the importance of early doxycycline therapy is essential for prevention and treatment efforts.
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Flea-Borne Typhus Causing Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis: An Autopsy Case. Infect Dis Rep 2023; 15:132-141. [PMID: 36826354 PMCID: PMC9956947 DOI: 10.3390/idr15010014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2022] [Revised: 02/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Infection with members of the order Rickettsiales (the genera Rickettsia, Anaplasma, Orientia, and Ehrlichia) is known to cause hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). The literature is scant on flea-borne typhus (FBT) being implicated in this process. We present a case of autopsy-proven HLH caused by FBT in a 71-year-old diabetic female who was initially suspected of having diabetic ketoacidosis who rapidly suffered decompensated multi-organ failure. Although she was suspected of having FBT and HLH pre-mortem, due to her rapid progression to multi-organ failure, she was transitioned to comfort care by her family five days after admission. A literature search yielded five other cases of HLH secondary to FBT, which are analyzed in this review. The literature on HLH occurring with infection due to other members of the order Rickettsiales is also surveyed.
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Faccini-Martínez ÁA, Walker DH, Blanton LS. Murine Typhus in Latin America: Perspectives of a Once Recognized but Now Neglected Vector-Borne Disease. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2022; 107:tpmd220070. [PMID: 35970287 PMCID: PMC9651517 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.22-0070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Murine typhus is an undifferentiated febrile illness. Historically recognized throughout Latin America, it has been seldom reported in recent decades. When clinicians and researchers are attuned, endemic foci have reemerged. The demonstrable seroprevalence in areas devoid of reported cases indicates murine typhus is an underappreciated infectious disease in Latin America.
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Affiliation(s)
- Álvaro A. Faccini-Martínez
- Research Institute, Fundación Universitaria de Ciencias de la Salud - FUCS, Bogotá, Colombia
- Servicios y Asesorías en Infectología - SAI, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - David H. Walker
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
| | - Lucas S. Blanton
- Department of Internal Medicine–Infectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
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Jacquot R, Gerfaud-Valentin M, Lega JC, Becker A, Jamilloux Y, Seve P. Murine typhus complicated by sHLH mimicking adult-onset Still's disease. Rev Med Interne 2022; 43:617-621. [PMID: 35697578 DOI: 10.1016/j.revmed.2022.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Revised: 05/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD) is a rare multisystemic disorder and a diagnostic challenge for physicians because of the wide range of differential diagnoses. Common features of AOSD and secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (sHLH) could favour diagnostic uncertainty, in particular in case of infection-related sHLH. OBSERVATION A 61-year-old man was admitted to our internal medicine department for suspected AOSD. He reported a 2-week history of sudden onset fever, headaches, myalgia, sore throat, diarrhoea, and an erythematous macular rash of the trunk as well as petechial purpuric lesions on both legs on return from Reunion Island. Laboratory tests found cytopenia, hepatic cytolysis, hypertriglyceridaemia, and hyperferritinaemia. Hemophagocytosis was diagnosed on bone marrow aspiration in favour of the diagnosis of secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (sHLH). Subcutaneous anakinra (100mg) was initiated to treat sHLH with favourable course. Oral doxycycline was added 3days later because of atypical features for AOSD diagnosis such as diarrhoea, hypergammaglobulinaemia, and doubtful serologies for Rickettsia and Coxiella. Three weeks later, Rickettsia typhi serology was checked again and revealed an increase in IgG titer>4 times that confirmed the diagnosis of murine typhus. A diagnosis of murine typhus complicated by sHLH was retained, successfully treated by anakinra and doxycycline. CONCLUSION Our observation shows that AOSD diagnosis has to be stringent due to the many differential diagnoses, particularly infection complicated by sHLH, which may be rare. It is important to consider murine typhus in patients returning from endemic areas, such as La Reunion or other tropical areas, when they present fever of unknown origin with non-specific clinical features. Moreover, this case illustrates the effectiveness of IL-1 blockers as a treatment for symptomatic sHLH without severity criteria, regardless of the aetiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Jacquot
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Lyon Croix-Rousse, Claude-Bernard University - Lyon 1, Lyon, France.
| | - M Gerfaud-Valentin
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Lyon Croix-Rousse, Claude-Bernard University - Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - J-C Lega
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Lyon Sud, Claude-Bernard University - Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - A Becker
- Department of Infectious Disease, University Hospital Lyon Croix-Rousse, Claude-Bernard University - Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - Y Jamilloux
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Lyon Croix-Rousse, Claude-Bernard University - Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - P Seve
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Lyon Croix-Rousse, Claude-Bernard University - Lyon 1, Lyon, France; University Claude-Bernard Lyon 1, Research on Healthcare Performance (RESHAPE), INSERM U1290, Lyon, France
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