OVERVIEW
Rickettsial pox is an acute febrile illness. The vector is a small, colorless mite, the hemipteran mite, which is widely distributed. It infects house mice and certain species of wild mice and can transmit Rickettsia microti from eggs. Humans are infected by the bite of mite larvae or adults.
Etiology
The causative agent is Rickettsia mite, which is parasitized in the mites of house mice and is transmitted to humans when the mites bite.
Symptoms
Incubation period of 7 to 14 days, the first mite bite appeared in a small firm papule, 5 to 15 mm in size, and then expanded into a round or oval blister, and then dry and crusted. Accompanied by localized lymph node enlargement. Some flu-like symptoms, including fever, chills, sweating, headache and backache, appear after a few days and usually last for 4 to 5 days. Along with the onset of systemic symptoms, the rash is generalized throughout the body, including the mouth, but the palms and toes are not involved. The basic damage is a papule or dune surrounded by small blisters, and the appearance of the lesions is similar to chickenpox. The disease is usually mild and self-limiting, and most often resolves within 2 weeks. In rare cases, generalized lymph node enlargement and splenomegaly may occur.
Examination
The leukocyte count is decreased, and the antibody potency of the rickettsial antigen is increased by the complement binding test. The Weft-Felix test is negative.
Diagnosis
The Well-Felix reaction is negative, and the diagnosis can be confirmed by complement binding test and isolation of the pathogen from the serum of patients in the acute and recovery phases.
Treatment
Adequate doses of tetracycline should be administered.
Prevention
Prophylaxis includes rodent extermination and vector control with slow-acting insecticides.