Q Fever, Scrub Typhus, and Rickettsial Diseases in Children, Kenya, 2011–2012

Abstract

To increase knowledge of undifferentiated fevers in Kenya, we tested paired serum samples from febrile children in western Kenya for antibodies against pathogens increasingly recognized to cause febrile illness in Africa. Of patients assessed, 8.9%, 22.4%, 1.1%, and 3.6% had enhanced seroreactivity to Coxiella burnetii, spotted fever group rickettsiae, typhus group rickettsiae, and scrub typhus group orientiae, respectively.

Keywords

• Q fever
• Coxiella burnetii
• scrub typhus
• rickettsial diseases
• rickettsiae
• spotted fever group rickettsia