Abstract

When the clinical and epidemiologic features of 115 laboratory confirmed cases of Colorado Tick Fever (CTF) were reviewed, comparison of the initial clinical impression with virus isolations and serologic results revealed that physicians frequently mistook CTF for Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF). Analysis of selected clinical data showed that biphasic fever, a highly specific feature of CTF, was seen in 48% of cases. Rash was seen in 12% and was faint, transient, and inconsistent in distribution in contrast with the progressive, specifically distributed rash of RMSF. Although the course of these two illnesses can be readily distinguished, their similar onset may account for the high frequency of misdiagnosis. Three patients had central nervous system disease associated with CTF, similar to eight other cases found in the literature.

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