SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Pyrexia? It's Got to Be Rickettsia!

Pdf Summary

This poster highlights murine typhus as an important cause of undifferentiated fever, especially when accompanied by thrombocytopenia and elevated liver enzymes. The case describes a 54-year-old man with two weeks of fever and malaise, a maximum temperature of 102.1°F, and no rash. Laboratory findings showed hyponatremia, elevated AST/ALT and alkaline phosphatase, and a low platelet count. Serologic testing supported the diagnosis, including a positive Weil-Felix Proteus OX-19 antibody and elevated typhus IgM and IgG titers.<br /><br />The main message is that clinicians should suspect murine typhus in patients with fever, thrombocytopenia, and transaminitis, particularly if there is exposure to fleas or flea-associated animals such as cats, dogs, opossums, or rats. While diagnosis is confirmed serologically using a fourfold rise in IgG or IgM between acute and convalescent samples, treatment should not wait for confirmatory testing.<br /><br />Doxycycline is emphasized as the preferred therapy and should be started promptly when murine typhus is suspected, as early treatment shortens the disease course. The poster also stresses the importance of patient education and prevention strategies recommended by the CDC.<br /><br />Overall, the key clinical takeaway is to maintain a low threshold for diagnosing and treating murine typhus in febrile patients with compatible lab abnormalities and exposure history.

Asset Subtitle

Muhammad Jamal

Meta Tag

Author List Celin Rajan, Cesar Gutierrez, Muhammad Jamal, Shreel Hitenkumar Patel, Sreejith JagadeesanPillai, Yong-Chan Kim

Category Clinical Vignettes

Concept Murine Typhus

Concept Doxycycline

Concept Fever

Concept Flea Exposure

Concept Thrombocytopenia

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Knapp Medical Center

Presenting Author Muhammad Jamal

Track Adult

Keywords

murine typhus

undifferentiated fever

thrombocytopenia

transaminitis

doxycycline

Weil-Felix test

typhus IgM

typhus IgG

hyponatremia

flea exposure

Murine Typhus

Doxycycline

Fever

Flea Exposure

Thrombocytopenia