1. Murine typhus in Greece: epidemiological, clinical, and therapeutic data from 83 cases.
- Author
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Gikas A, Doukakis S, Pediaditis J, Kastanakis S, Psaroulaki A, and Tselentis Y
- Subjects
- Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Anemia microbiology, Endemic Diseases, Female, Greece epidemiology, Hepatomegaly microbiology, Humans, Incidence, Male, Middle Aged, Prospective Studies, Rickettsia typhi isolation & purification, Seasons, Splenomegaly microbiology, Typhus, Endemic Flea-Borne drug therapy, Typhus, Endemic Flea-Borne microbiology, Typhus, Endemic Flea-Borne epidemiology
- Abstract
Over a period of 5 years (1993-97), 83 cases of murine typhus were identified and studied in the city of Chania, on the island of Crete. Of these cases, 4.8% were registered in 1993, 19.3% in 1994, 47.0% in 1995, 10.8% in 1996, and 18.1% in 1997. The greatest incidence of the disease occurred during the third trimester of the year. Direct contact with rats was noted in 45 (54.2%) of 83 patients. Two strains of Rickettsia typhi were isolated in cell cultures. The predominant clinical manifestations were: fever (100%), headache (88%), chills (86.7%), and rash (79.5%). In 4 of the patients (4.8%), the disease was complicated by acute renal failure, and in 4 other patients (4.8%), by pulmonary consolidations. The outcome under appropriate treatment was favourable for all patients.
- Published
- 2002
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