Brill-Zinsser-disease

Last Updated: 2019-08-26

Author(s): Anzengruber F., Navarini A.

ICD11: -

Patients with epidemic spotted fever may have a late recurrence if antibiotic therapy is discontinued prematurely

  • Pathogen: Rickettsia prowazekii.

  • Anamnesis.
  • Clinic.
  • Lice infestation.
  • BB (leukopenia, eosinophilia), liver and kidney values, electrolytes.
  • From the 2nd week of disease Weil-Felix reaction (agglutination test).
  • Complement fixation reaction from the 3rd week of the disease.
  • Indirect immunofluorescence test after the 3rd week of the disease.

  • Lifelong immunity only exists after a completely survived illness!
  • High lethality

  1. Bechah, Y., et al., Epidemic typhus. Lancet Infect Dis, 2008. 8(7): p. 417-26.
  2. McQuiston, J.H., et al., Brill-Zinsser disease in a patient following infection with sylvatic epidemic typhus associated with flying squirrels. Clin Infect Dis, 2010. 51(6): p. 712-5.
  3. Ormsbee, R., et al., Serologic diagnosis of epidemic typhus fever. Am J Epidemiol, 1977. 105(3): p. 261-71.