Epidemic typhus has affected humans throughout history, affecting large numbers of people when living conditions deteriorate.
Agent: Rickettsia prowazekii
Vector: body louse (Pediculus humanis)
Epidemic typhus may be maintained in nature in various kinds of rodents (rats, flying squirrels).
Incubation period: around 10 days
Clinical features:
(1) high fever
(2) headache
(3) photophobia
(4) myalgias
(5) altered mental status (from confusion to coma)
(6) purpuric rash
(7) vomiting and/or diarrhea
(8) variable splenomegaly
(9) variable hypotension
(10) variable seizures
Death can occur in severe cases.
The diagnosis depends on laboratory confirmation. Serology and immunofluorescence can be used but molecular methods are probably the best to use if available.
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