1Faculty of Medicine, Al-Quds University, Jerusalem, Palestine
2Infectious Diseases Unit, Makassed Charitable Society Hospital, East Jerusalem, Palestine
American Journal of Medical Case Reports.
2022,
Vol. 10 No. 9, 235-238
DOI: 10.12691/ajmcr-10-9-6
Copyright © 2022 Science and Education PublishingCite this paper: Oadi N. Shrateh, Raneen R. Sweity, Rabee S. Adwan. An Infant with Mediterranean Spotted Fever in Palestine: A Case Report.
American Journal of Medical Case Reports. 2022; 10(9):235-238. doi: 10.12691/ajmcr-10-9-6.
Correspondence to: Oadi N. Shrateh, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Quds University, Jerusalem, Palestine. Email:
oadi.shrateh@students.alquds.eduAbstract
Introduction: Mediterranean spotted fever (MSF) is an emerging and zoonotic disease caused by Rickettsia conorii. The main arthropod vector of this bacterium is Rhipicephalus sanguineus, also called “brown dog tick”. We report a 3-month-old infant affected by MSF as the first reported case of the condition in Palestine. Clinical report: in July 2022, a previously healthy 3-month-old child was admitted to the hospital due to fever, diffuse maculopapular rash and a black spot on his leg. Laboratory assessment revealed thrombocytopenia, hypoalbuminemia, and elevated liver enzymes. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing was positive for Rickettsia Conorii and a diagnosis MSF was ascertained. The patient was completely recovered with doxycycline treatment. Conclusion: Mediterranean spotted fever (MSF) is endemic in Africa, India, Europe and Mediterranean countries; including Palestine. In this case study, we affirm the significance of suspecting MSF in patients presenting with fever and rash even in those who stay in their homes apart from environments with high tick-exposure possibility.
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