Epidemic Typhus Sameer

Sameer Shabbir
Group 9 (ik) 9 sem
Epidemic typhus
Rickettsia prowazekii is a species of gram negative, rod shaped, aerobic bacteria
that is the etiologic agent of epidemic typhus, transmitted in the feces of lice and fleas.
● R. prowazekii is often surrounded by a protein microcapsular layer and slime
layer; the natural life cycle of the bacteria generally involves a vertebrate and an
invertebrate host, usually an arthropod, typically a louse.
● A form of R. prowazekii that exists in the feces of arthropods remains stably
infective for months.
Transmission:
It is primarily transmitted to humans through the bites of infected lice, particularly the
body louse (Pediculus humanus corporis).
Epidemiology:
Historically associated with crowded and unhygienic conditions, often seen in times of
war or natural disasters.
Endemic in certain regions with poor sanitation.
Epidemic typhus, also known as louse-borne typhus, is a form of typhus so named

because the disease often causes epidemics following wars and natural disasters where
civil life is disrupted.Epidemic typhus is spread to people through contact with infected
body lice, in contrast to endemic typhus which is usually transmitted by fleas.
Transmission:
Feeding on a human who carries the bacterium infects the louse. R. prowazekii grows in
the louse's gut and is excreted in its feces. The louse transmits the disease by biting an
uninfected human, who scratches the louse bite (which itches) and rubs the feces into
the wound. The incubation period is one to two weeks. R. prowazekii can remain viable
and virulent in the dried louse feces for many days. Typhus will eventually kill the louse,
though the disease will remain viable for many weeks in the dead louse.
Symptoms of this disease typically begin within 2 weeks of contact with the causative
organism.
Fever
Chills
Headache
Confusion
Cough
Rapid Breathing
Body/Muscle Aches
Rash
Nausea
Vomiting
Possibly neurological symptoms: e.g., confusion, coma, seizuresBrill-Zinsser disease:
exacerbated recurrence many years after the primary episode
After 5–6 days, a macular skin eruption develops: first on the upper trunk and spreading
to the rest of the body (rarely to the face, palms, or soles of the feet, however).[6]
Brill–Zinsser disease is a mild form of epidemic typhus that recurs in someone after a
long period of latency (similar to the relationship between chickenpox and shingles). This
recurrence often arises in times of relative immunosuppression, which is often in the
context of a person suffering malnutrition or other illnesses. In combination with poor
sanitation and hygiene in times of social chaos and upheaval, which enable a greater
density of lice, this reactivation is why typhus generates epidemics in such conditions
Diagnosis -laboratory tests :
1)Renal - Azotemia/proteinuria
2) Hematologic
3) Leukopenia (common in the early stages of disease)
4) WBC count normal/mildly elevated later
5) Thrombocytopenia
6) Hepatic - Mild transaminase elevations
7) Metabolic - Hypoalbuminemia/electrolyte abnormalities (particularly
hyponatremia).Indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) or enzyme immunoassay (EIA)
testing can be used to evaluate for a rise in the immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibody titer,
which indicates an acute primary disease.
IFA and EIA tests can be used to confirm a diagnosis of typhus, but they do not identify
the various rickettsial species.
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of rickettsial DNA of serum or skin
biopsy specimens can be used for diagnosing epidemic typhus.
Treatment:
The infection is treated with antibiotics. Intravenous fluids and oxygen may be needed
to stabilize the patient. Tetracycline, chloramphenicol, and doxycycline are
commonly used. Infection can also be prevented by vaccination.
Antibiotics. Specific antimicrobial therapy effective against rickettsia should be used.
Doxycycline and chloramphenicol are used as antirickettsial agents for the treatment of
typhus.Doxycycline – 200 mg PO/IV bid for 3 d, then maintenance dose 100 mg PO/IV
bid. Chloramphenicol – 0.5-1 g IV q6h.
Prevention:
● Some of the simplest methods of prevention and treatment focus on preventing
infestation of body lice.
● Completely changing the clothing, washing the infested clothing in hot water,
and in some cases also treating recently used bedsheets all help to prevent
typhus by removing potentially infected lice.
● Clothes left unworn and unwashed for 7 days also result in the death of both lice
and their eggs, as they have no access to a human host.
● Another form of lice prevention requires dusting infested clothing with a powder
consisting of 10% DDT, 1% malathion, or 1% permethrin, which kill lice and their
eggs.
● Avoid unhygienic, extremely overcrowded areas where the causative organisms
can jump from person to person.
Complications:
Myocarditis
Endocarditis
Mycotic aneurysm
Pneumonia
Pancreatitis
Kidney or bladder infections
Acute renal failure
Meningitis
Encephalitis
Myelitis
Septic shock
Thank you

Epidemic Typhus Sameer

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Epidemic Typhus Sameer

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Epidemic Typhus Sameer

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Sameer Shabbir

Group 9 (ik) 9 sem

Epidemic typhus, also known as louse-borne typhus, is a form of typhus so named

You might also like