Typhus Fevers

Tetracyclines are broad-spectrum antibiotics. effective against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, also against Rickettsiae (typhus fever) and certain other organisms. 

These antibiotics are effective in die treatment of infections caused by a wide range of gram-negative and gram-positive microorganisms. The tetracyclines are used in infections caused by Rickettsiae (Rocky Mountain spotted fever, typhus fever, and tick fevers). Tetracyclines are also used in situations in which penicillin is contraindicated, in the treatment of intestinal amebiasis, and in some skin and soft tissue infections. Oral... 

World Health Organization. Fact Sheet 162 Epidemic Louse-Borne Typhus Fever. Geneva Health Communications and Public Relations, May 1997. 

Category B agents There are eleven Category B agents as follows brucellosis, epsilon toxin (clostridium perfringens), glanders, melioidosis, psittacosis, Q fever, ricin toxin, staphylococcus enterotoxin B, typhus fever, viral encephalitis, and water safety threats. 

Typhus fever B (Rickeffsia prowazekii) Insects— arthropods (primarily human lice) animals— flying squirrels in the US typically has been seen 1-2 weeb, typically 12 days No (but infected lice can be transferred) Standa d High fever, rash (w/in 6 days), muscle pain, hypotension, photophobia, delirium Typically 2 weeks in untreated pts hat recover Doxycycline, chloramphenicol... 

Typhus fever B Insects— 1 -2 weeks, No (but Standard High fever, Typically Doxycycline,... 

For example, the encyclopedia Der grofie Brockhaus, vol. 6 of the 1930 Leipzig edition, contains a comprehensive article on typhus fever and states that this acute infectious disease is spread only by the body louse ... 

Several distinct Rickettsiae species cause typhus fevers in humans. Each agent produces disease with a distinct epidemiology, but all cause illness, usually with fever, headache, or rash, or a combiitation of these. Treatment of all forms of typhus is similar and include.s administration of appropriate antibiotics (tor example, the tetracycline class) and supportive care relapses are infrequent. Epidemic typhus is passed from perst)n to person by the body louse. Endemic, or murine, typhus occurs worldwide and is transmitted by rat fleas. Different tickbome typhus fevers occur in Europe, Africa, the Americas, Australia, and Asia. Scrub typhus, transmitted by rodent mites, occurs in a large area from the Indian subcontinent to Australia and in much of Asia, including Japan, China, Korea, and parts of Russia. 

Vaccination against any of the typhus fevers is not required by any country as a condition for entry. Although experimental vaccines have been developed for the typhus fevers, no commercially licensed vaccines are produced presently in the United States. 

Melioidosis 108 Psittacosis 110 Typhus Fevers 110 Viral Encephalitis 111 Eastern Equine Encephalitis 111 Western Equine Encephalitis 112 Hendra Virus Disease and Nipah Virus Encephalitis 112 Tick-Borne Encephalitis 114 T>T)hoid Fever 115 Shigellosis 117 Foodbome Hineses 121 Salmonellosis 131 Cholera 135... 

Typhus fever Rickettsial disease that occurs in a variety of forms including epidemic, endemic (murine), and scrub typhus. 

Ebola, Marburg, etc.) Q fever Coxiella burnetii) Ricin toxin from Ricinus communis (castor beans) Staphylococcal enterotoxin B Typhus fever Rickettsia prowazekii) Viral encephalitis Threats to water safety Vibrio cholerae and Cryptosporidium parvum ... 

---