Severe Murine Typhus with Pulmonary System Involvement

Abstract

We encountered a case of severe murine typhus complicated by acute respiratory distress syndrome. To determine worldwide prevalence of such cases, we reviewed the literature and found that respiratory symptoms occur in ≈30% of murine typhus patients. In disease-endemic areas, murine typhus should be considered for patients with respiratory symptoms and fever.

Keywords

• typhus
• endemic flea-borne
• murine typhus
• Rickettsia typhi
• acute respiratory distress syndrome
• respiratory insufficiency