A CASE OF MURINE TYPHUS IN QUEENSLAND

Objective: To present a case of murine (endemic) typhus, the first to be reported within the last 30 years in Australia. Clinical features: A 17-year-old pregnant woman presented with a viral-like illness and later developed a spotted rash, fever and headache. Investigation and outcome: Sera taken on Day 7 and Day 30 of the illness showed seroconversion to Proteus OX19 (Weil-Felix) and to Rickettsia typhi (by immunofluorescence), indicating recent infection with Rickettsia of the typhus group. Her illness was clinically compatible with murine typhus. She responded well to erythromycin and delivered a normal infant at term. Conclusion: Infection with Rickettsia typhi (murine typhus) still occurs in Australia. It can be diagnosed by means of specific serological tests for rickettsial disease, which are superior to the non-specific Weil-Felix test.