Southwest Journal of Pulmonary and Critical Care (Dec 2016)
Medical image of the week: spirochetemia
Abstract
No abstract available. Article truncated at 150 words. A 64-year-old woman with hypertension, hypothyroidism and prior episode of pericarditis treated with steroids presents with complaints of generalized fatigue, fevers, rigors and body aches for 5 days. The patient recently was evaluated at an outside facility and was found to have normal routine labs and negative blood cultures. She was told that her symptoms were likely related to a viral illness. Further history taking revealed that the patient had recently being staying in a cabin located in the White Mountains of Arizona about one month prior. She was exposed to the outdoors but does not recall any insect bites and did not remove any ticks. The cabin was sprayed with insecticides prior to their arrival. The patient was initially afebrile but exhibiting tachycardia, hypotension, and tachypnea. Repeat complete blood counts revealed Leukopenia (WBC 2.9 x 103/microL) and profound thrombocytopenia (PLT 32 x 103/microL). Patient was admitted to the hospital …
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