Rickettsia, A harbinger of havoc

Stroke and infection have a close relationship! There is possibly interplay of inflammation with traditional risk factors of stroke such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, and smoking. Ricketssiae infection is already known to have multisystemic involvement. Stroke, both ischaemic and hemorrhagic though rarely reported to be associated with this infection often resulted in drastic consequences. Here, we will present a case where a gentleman who presented with stroke following a rickettsia infection only few days after he was thrombolysed for an initial event. We probably managed to avoid a catastrophe by treating the infection at earliest! Key Messages: Infection may interact with traditional risk factors of stroke and may precipitate a vascular event. Epidemiological knowledge of existing infections in community, early detection and intervention may prevent complications even if stroke is precipitated. Keywords: Ricketssiae, Postthrombolysis, Stroke.