Indian Tick Typhus is a tick-borne rickettsiosis of the spotted fever group that is common in India. It may be encountered in other countries as well.
Causative organism: Rickettsia conorii ssp indica
Vector: tick (Rhipicephalus)
Common clinical features:
(1) maculopapular rash, petechiae and purpura, on the trunk, palms and soles of the feet
(2) absence of inoculation site eschar
(3) fever
(4) headache
(5) vertigo
(6) malaise
(7) arthralgias and myalgias
(8) pharyngitis
(9) conjunctivitis
Less common findings:
(1) hepatitis
(2) purpura fulminans
(3) pneumonitis
Serologic or immunofluorsecnt testing may be unreliable. PCR or other molecular technique may be helpful in making the diagnosis, especially in a country outside of India.
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