Fiebre manchada de las montañas rocosas: ni tan manchada ni tan montañosa como pensábamos

Abstract

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) is an infection caused by Rickettsia rickettsii, a pleomorphic cocobacillae which belongs to the Rickettsiaceae family. Although it has been more than a century since its irst description, this disease is still one of the most important zoonosis in the world. Usually cases occur in focal and sporadic form, but an unusual increase in the frequency of cases during the last few years has drawn the attention of surveillance systems in United States and some South American countries. Little was known about the disease in Colombia when it was irst described in 1937, but in recent years new cases have been reported showing high mortality rates. Since clinical and laboratory indings have not been speciic, the RMSF must be included in the differential diagnosis of febrile syndromes of unknown origin. A literature review follows herein, pointing out the most important features of the cases diagnosed in Colombia and highlighting their pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment, and attempting to improve local knowledge of this infection. The disease is probably under-diagnosed and could be treated with a few doses of PO antibiotics.