A Confirmed Case of Rickettsia parkeri Infection in a Traveler from Uruguay

• DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.13-0436
• Publication Date: 2013-10-29T00:15:45Z
• Authors: Aránzazu Portillo; Concepción García...; M. Mercedes Sanz; Sonia Santibáñez; José M. Venzal; José A. Oteo
• Keywords: Eschar; Maculopapular rash; Seroconversion; Chills

The first confirmed case of Rickettsia parkeri infection in Uruguay is reported. To date, South America, molecularly cases human have been found Argentina and probably, Brazil. Our patient returned to Spain after a 7-day trip Colonia Suiza (Southwestern Uruguay). He presented fever (39°C), chills, two eschars (tache noire-like) surrounded by an indurated, erythematous halo on the inner side left ankle besides maculopapular rash legs. After treatment with doxycycline for 7 days, he fully recovered. R. was diagnosed molecular-based detection microorganism swab specimen eschar. Diagnosis supported seroconversion between acute- convalescent-phase sera specimens.