Abstract
Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is an emerging public health concern near the US-Mexico border, where it has resulted in thousands of cases and hundreds of deaths in the past decade. We identified 4 patients who had acquired RMSF in northern Mexico and subsequently died at US healthcare facilities. Two patients sought care in Mexico before being admitted to US-based hospitals. All patients initially had several nonspecific signs and symptoms, including fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, or myalgia, but deteriorated rapidly without receipt of a tetracycline-class antimicrobial drug. Each patient experienced respiratory failure late in illness. Although transborder cases are not common, early recognition and prompt initiation of appropriate treatment are vital for averting severe illness and death. Clinicians on both sides of the US-Mexico border should consider a diagnosis of RMSF for patients with rapidly progressing febrile illness and recent exposure in northern Mexico.
Highlights
In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by Medscape, LLC and Emerging Infectious Diseases
Determine the clinical implications of analysis of this series of 4 fatal cases of Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) in patients with rapidly progressing febrile illness and recent exposure in northern Mexico
Transborder cases are not common, early recognition and prompt initiation of appropriate treatment are vital for averting severe illness and death. Clinicians on both sides of the US–Mexico border should consider a diagnosis of RMSF for patients with rapidly progressing febrile illness and recent exposure in northern Mexico
Summary
Upon completion of this activity, participants will be able to:. Identify clinical presentation and diagnosis of Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) in patients with rapidly progressing febrile illness and recent exposure in northern Mexico, based on a series of 4 fatal cases. Identify clinical presentation and diagnosis of Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) in patients with rapidly progressing febrile illness and recent exposure in northern Mexico, based on a series of 4 fatal cases. Transborder cases are not common, early recognition and prompt initiation of appropriate treatment are vital for averting severe illness and death Clinicians on both sides of the US–Mexico border should consider a diagnosis of RMSF for patients with rapidly progressing febrile illness and recent exposure in northern Mexico. We describe 4 patients who acquired RMSF in Mexico and subsequently sought care in the United States These cases highlight the need for increased healthcare provider awareness of this rapidly progressing disease in communities on both sides of the border
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