Rickettsial Fever Presenting with Gangrene: A Case Series

Abstract

Rickettsial diseases comprise a wide spectrum of diseases which are reported from different parts of India quiet long ago. Many cases of rickettsial diseases go undiagnos due to lack of diagnostic techniques and the reported incidence and prevalence may be an underestimation of the actual burden of the disease. A higher index of suspicion, clinical awareness and proper use of available diagnostic tools would increase the frequency of diagnosis. Gangrene is an uncommon complication in cases of rickettsial fever. Extensive gangrene of the digits or whole limb, even requiring amputation has been more commonly reported with Rocky Mountain spotted fever. These cases are being reported to highlight the occurrence of gangrene in rickettsial fever and the importance of appropriate management at the earliest.

Keywords

• doxycycline
• rickettsial gangrene
• weil felix test