eMedicine Specialties > Dermatology > Bacterial Infections
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever: Treatment & Medication
Updated: Jun 26, 2009
- Overview
- Differential Diagnoses & Workup
- Treatment & Medication
- Follow-up
- Multimedia
Treatment
Medical Care
- Any patient presenting with fever and a rash must be considered for hospitalization and antimicrobial therapy.
- Antibiotics and supportive care must be initiated for any patient suspected to have Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF), even in the absence of diagnostic testing.
Consultations
- Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is a nationally reportable disease.
- Specialties to consider for evaluation of a patient include a dermatologist, an infectious disease specialist, a neurologist, and an ophthalmologist.
Medication
The mainstay of treatment of Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is antimicrobial therapy, which must be initiated at first suspicion of the illness. Doxycycline is the antibiotic agent of choice for treating adults and even children because of its effectiveness, broad margin of safety, and convenient dosing schedule.10 As many as 5 courses of doxycycline can be used for cases of reinfection, with minimal risk of dental staining.10 Chloramphenicol is the medication of choice in pregnant women, even though gray baby syndrome is a risk.11,12
Antibiotics
Empiric antimicrobial therapy must be comprehensive and should cover all likely pathogens in the context of this clinical setting.
Doxycycline (Bio-Tab, Doryx, Vibramycin)
DOC for RMSF in adults and children. Inhibits protein synthesis and, thus, bacterial growth by binding to 30S and, possibly, 50S ribosomal subunits of susceptible bacteria.
Adult
100 mg bid for 7 d and for at least 72 h after defervescence; give PO if outpatient and IV if inpatient
Pediatric
2-5 mg/kg/d divided bid for 7 d and for at least 72 h after defervescence; give PO if outpatient and IV if inpatient; not to exceed 200 mg/d
Bioavailability decreases with antacids containing aluminum, calcium, magnesium, iron, or bismuth subsalicylate; tetracyclines can increase hypoprothrombinemic effects of anticoagulants; tetracyclines can decrease effects of oral contraceptives, causing breakthrough bleeding and increased risk of pregnancy
Documented hypersensitivity; severe hepatic dysfunction
Pregnancy
D - Fetal risk shown in humans; use only if benefits outweigh risk to fetus
Precautions
Photosensitivity may occur with prolonged exposure to sunlight or tanning equipment; reduce dose in renal impairment; consider drug serum level determinations in prolonged therapy; tetracycline use during tooth development (last one half of pregnancy through age 8 y) can cause permanent discoloration of teeth; Fanconilike syndrome may occur with outdated tetracyclines
Chloramphenicol (Chloromycetin)
Drug of choice for RMSF in pregnant women and alternative choice for patients who are allergic to doxycycline. Binds to 50S bacterial ribosomal subunits and inhibits bacterial growth by inhibiting protein synthesis.
Adult
Pregnant patients: 50-75 mg/kg/d IV divided qid for 7 d and for at least 48 h after defervescence
Patients allergic to doxycycline: 500 mg IV divided qid for 7 d and for at least 72 h after defervescence
Pediatric
50-100 mg/kg/d IV qid for 7 d and for at least 48 h after defervescence
Administered concurrently with barbiturates, serum levels may decrease while barbiturate levels may increase causing toxicity; manifestations of hypoglycemia may occur with sulfonylureas; rifampin may reduce serum levels, presumably through hepatic enzyme induction; may increase effects of anticoagulants; may increase serum hydantoin levels, possibly resulting in toxicity; chloramphenicol levels may be increased or decreased
Documented hypersensitivity
Pregnancy
C - Fetal risk revealed in studies in animals but not established or not studied in humans; may use if benefits outweigh risk to fetus
Precautions
Use only for indicated infections or as prophylaxis for bacterial infections; serious and fatal blood dyscrasias (eg, aplastic anemia, hypoplastic anemia, thrombocytopenia, granulocytopenia) can occur; evaluate baseline and perform periodic blood studies approximately every 2 d while on therapy; discontinue upon appearance of reticulocytopenia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia, or findings attributable to chloramphenicol; adjust dose in liver or kidney dysfunction; caution in pregnancy at term or during labor because of potential toxic effects on fetus (gray baby syndrome)
More on Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever |
| Overview: Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever |
| Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever |
Treatment & Medication: Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever |
| Follow-up: Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever |
| Multimedia: Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever |
| References |
| Further Reading |
| « Previous Page | Next Page » |
References
Chen LF, Sexton DJ. What's new in Rocky Mountain spotted fever?. Infect Dis Clin North Am. Sep 2008;22(3):415-32, vii-viii. [Medline].
Holman RC, McQuiston JH, Haberling DL, Cheek JE. Increasing incidence of Rocky Mountain spotted fever among the American Indian population in the United States. Am J Trop Med Hyg. Apr 2009;80(4):601-5. [Medline].
Adjemian JZ, Krebs J, Mandel E, McQuiston J. Spatial clustering by disease severity among reported Rocky Mountain spotted fever cases in the United States, 2001-2005. Am J Trop Med Hyg. Jan 2009;80(1):72-7. [Medline].
Zavala-Castro JE, Dzul-Rosado KR, León JJ, Walker DH, Zavala-Velázquez JE. An increase in human cases of spotted fever rickettsiosis in Yucatan, Mexico, involving children. Am J Trop Med Hyg. Dec 2008;79(6):907-10. [Medline].
Cunha BA. Clinical features of Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Lancet Infect Dis. Mar 2008;8(3):143-4. [Medline].
McGinley-Smith DE, Tsao SS. Dermatoses from ticks. J Am Acad Dermatol. Sep 2003;49(3):363-92; quiz 393-6. [Medline].
Walker DH, Henderson FW, Hutchins GM. Rocky Mountain spotted fever: mimicry of appendicitis or acute surgicalabdomen?. Am J Dis Child. Aug 1986;140(8):742-4. [Medline].
Walker DH, Lesesne HR, Varma VA, Thacker WC. Rocky Mountain spotted fever mimicking acute cholecystitis. Arch Intern Med. Dec 1985;145(12):2194-6. [Medline].
Taege AJ. Tick trouble: overview of tick-borne diseases. Cleve Clin J Med. Apr 2000;67(4):241, 245-9. [Medline].
Cale DF, McCarthy MW. Treatment of Rocky Mountain spotted fever in children. Ann Pharmacother. Apr 1997;31(4):492-4. [Medline].
Herbert WN, Seeds JW, Koontz WL, Cefalo RC. Rocky Mountain spotted fever in pregnancy: differential diagnosis and treatment. South Med J. Sep 1982;75(9):1063-6. [Medline].
Markley KC, Levine AB, Chan Y. Rocky Mountain spotted fever in pregnancy. Obstet Gynecol. May 1998;91(5 Pt 2):860. [Medline].
Mansueto P, Vitale G, Di Lorenzo G, Arcoleo F, Mansueto S, Cillari E. Immunology of human rickettsial diseases. J Biol Regul Homeost Agents. Apr-Jun 2008;22(2):131-9. [Medline].
Chapman AS, Bakken JS, Folk SM, et al. Diagnosis and management of tickborne rickettsial diseases: Rocky Mountain spotted fever, ehrlichioses, and anaplasmosis--United States: a practical guide for physicians and other health-care and public health professionals. MMWR Recomm Rep. Mar 31 2006;55:1-27. [Medline].
Abrahamian FM. Consequences of delayed diagnosis of Rocky Mountain spotted fever in children--West Virginia, Michigan, Tennessee, and Oklahoma, May--July 2000. Ann Emerg Med. May 2001;37(5):537-40. [Medline].
Amsden JR, Warmack S, Gubbins PO. Tick-borne bacterial, rickettsial, spirochetal, and protozoal infectious diseases in the United States: a comprehensive review. Pharmacotherapy. Feb 2005;25(2):191-210. [Medline].
Archibald LK, Sexton DJ. Long-term sequelae of Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Clin Infect Dis. May 1995;20(5):1122-5. [Medline].
Baganz MD, Dross PE, Reinhardt JA. Rocky Mountain spotted fever encephalitis: MR findings. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. Apr 1995;16(4 Suppl):919-22. [Medline].
Benson P. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, another important cause of fever and rash. J Emerg Med. Nov 2004;27(4):415-6; author reply 416. [Medline].
Bergeron JW, Braddom RL, Kaelin DL. Persisting impairment following Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever: a case report. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. Nov 1997;78(11):1277-80. [Medline].
Bonawitz C, Castillo M, Mukherji SK. Comparison of CT and MR features with clinical outcome in patients with Rocky Mountain spotted fever. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. Mar 1997;18(3):459-64. [Medline].
Callahan EF, Adal KA, Tomecki KJ. Cutaneous (non-HIV) infections. Dermatol Clin. Jul 2000;18(3):497-508, x. [Medline].
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Consequences of delayed diagnosis of Rocky Mountain Spotted fever in children--West Virginia, Michigan, Tennessee, and Oklahoma, May-July 2000. JAMA. Oct 25 2000;284(16):2049-50. [Medline].
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Rocky Mountain spotted fever--United States, 1990. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. Jul 12 1991;40(27):451-3, 459. [Medline].
Chapman AS, Bakken JS, Folk SM, et al. Diagnosis and management of tickborne rickettsial diseases: Rocky Mountain spotted fever, ehrlichioses, and anaplasmosis--United States: a practical guide for physicians and other health-care and public health professionals. MMWR Recomm Rep. Mar 31 2006;55(RR-4):1-27. [Medline].
Chapman AS, Murphy SM, Demma LJ. Rocky Mountain spotted fever in the United States, 1997-2002. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis. 2006;6(2):170-8. [Medline].
Cherry JD. Contemporary infectious exanthems. Clin Infect Dis. Feb 1993;16(2):199-205. [Medline].
Childs JE, Paddock CD. Passive surveillance as an instrument to identify risk factors for fatal Rocky Mountain spotted fever: is there more to learn?. Am J Trop Med Hyg. May 2002;66(5):450-7. [Medline].
Conlon PJ, Procop GW, Fowler V, et al. Predictors of prognosis and risk of acute renal failure in patients with Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Am J Med. Dec 1996;101(6):621-6. [Medline].
Crocquet-Valdes PA, DÃaz-Montero CM, Feng HM, et al. Immunization with a portion of rickettsial outer membrane protein A stimulates protective immunity against spotted fever rickettsiosis. Vaccine. Dec 12 2001;20(5-6):979-88. [Medline].
Dalton MJ, Clarke MJ, Holman RC, et al. National surveillance for Rocky Mountain spotted fever, 1981-1992: epidemiologic summary and evaluation of risk factors for fatal outcome. Am J Trop Med Hyg. May 1995;52(5):405-13. [Medline].
Demma LJ, Traeger MS, Nicholson WL, et al. Rocky Mountain spotted fever from an unexpected tick vector in Arizona. N Engl J Med. Aug 11 2005;353(6):587-94. [Medline].
Drage LA. Life-threatening rashes: dermatologic signs of four infectious diseases. Mayo Clin Proc. Jan 1999;74(1):68-72. [Medline].
Drancourt M, Alessi MC, Levy PY, et al. Secretion of tissue-type plasminogen activator and plasminogen activator inhibitor by Rickettsia conorii- and Rickettsia rickettsii-infected cultured endothelial cells. Infect Immun. Aug 1990;58(8):2459-63. [Medline].
Dumler JS, Walker DH. Diagnostic tests for Rocky Mountain spotted fever and other rickettsial diseases. Dermatol Clin. Jan 1994;12(1):25-36. [Medline].
Elghetany MT, Walker DH. Hemostatic changes in Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Mediterranean spotted fever. Am J Clin Pathol. Aug 1999;112(2):159-68. [Medline].
Fuder H, Schopf J, Unckell J, et al. Different muscarine receptors mediate the prejunctional inhibition of [3H]-noradrenaline release in rat or guinea-pig iris and the contraction of the rabbit iris sphincter muscle. Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol. Dec 1989;340(6):597-604. [Medline].
Gayle A, Ringdahl E. Tick-borne diseases. Am Fam Physician. Aug 1 2001;64(3):461-6. [Medline].
Hattwick MA, O''Brien RJ, Hanson BF. Rocky Mountain spotted fever: epidemiology of an increasing problem. Ann Intern Med. Jun 1976;84(6):732-9. [Medline].
Helmick CG, Bernard KW, D''Angelo LJ. Rocky Mountain spotted fever: clinical, laboratory, and epidemiological features of 262 cases. J Infect Dis. Oct 1984;150(4):480-8. [Medline].
Hilton E, DeVoti J, Benach JL, et al. Seroprevalence and seroconversion for tick-borne diseases in a high-risk population in the northeast United States. Am J Med. Apr 1999;106(4):404-9. [Medline].
Holman RC, Paddock CD, Curns AT, et al. Analysis of risk factors for fatal Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever: evidence for superiority of tetracyclines for therapy. J Infect Dis. Dec 1 2001;184(11):1437-44. [Medline].
Horney LF, Walker DH. Meningoencephalitis as a major manifestation of Rocky Mountain spotted fever. South Med J. Jul 1988;81(7):915-8. [Medline].
Hove MG, Walker DH. Persistence of rickettsiae in the partially viable gangrenous margins of amputated extremities 5 to 7 weeks after onset of Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Arch Pathol Lab Med. May 1995;119(5):429-31. [Medline].
Hughes C. Rocky Mountain "spotless" fever with an erythema migrans-like skin lesion. Clin Infect Dis. Nov 1995;21(5):1328-9. [Medline].
Jackson MD, Kirkman C, Bradford WD, Walker DH. Rocky mountain spotted fever: hepatic lesions in childhood cases. Pediatr Pathol. 1986;5(3-4):379-88. [Medline].
Jones TF, Craig AS, Paddock CD, et al. Family cluster of Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Clin Infect Dis. Apr 1999;28(4):853-9. [Medline].
Joshi SG, Francis CW, Silverman DJ, Sahni SK. Nuclear factor kappa B protects against host cell apoptosis during Rickettsia rickettsii infection by inhibiting activation of apical and effector caspases and maintaining mitochondrial integrity. Infect Immun. Jul 2003;71(7):4127-36. [Medline].
Kao GF, Evancho CD, Ioffe O, et al. Cutaneous histopathology of Rocky Mountain spotted fever. J Cutan Pathol. Nov 1997;24(10):604-10. [Medline].
Kaplan JE, Schonberger LB. The sensitivity of various serologic tests in the diagnosis of Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Am J Trop Med Hyg. Jul 1986;35(4):840-4. [Medline].
Kaplan LI. Other spotted fevers. Clin Dermatol. May-Jun 1996;14(3):259-67. [Medline].
Kaplanski G, Teysseire N, Farnarier C, et al. IL-6 and IL-8 production from cultured human endothelial cells stimulated by infection with Rickettsia conorii via a cell-associated IL-1 alpha-dependent pathway. J Clin Invest. Dec 1995;96(6):2839-44. [Medline].
Kaufmann JM, Zaenglein AL, Kaul A, Chang MW. Fever and rash in a 3-year-old girl: Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Cutis. Sep 2002;70(3):165-8. [Medline].
Kirk JL, Fine DP, Sexton DJ, Muchmore HG. Rocky Mountain spotted fever. A clinical review based on 48 confirmed cases, 1943-1986. Medicine (Baltimore). Jan 1990;69(1):35-45. [Medline].
Kirkland KB, Marcom PK, Sexton DJ, et al. Rocky Mountain spotted fever complicated by gangrene: report of six cases and review. Clin Infect Dis. May 1993;16(5):629-34. [Medline].
Lacz NL, Schwartz RA, Kapila R. Rocky Mountain spotted fever. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. Apr 2006;20(4):411-7. [Medline].
Marshall GS, Stout GG, Jacobs RF, et al. Antibodies reactive to Rickettsia rickettsii among children living in the southeast and south central regions of the United States. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. May 2003;157(5):443-8. [Medline].
Marx RS, McCall CE, Abramson JS, Harlan JE. Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Serological evidence of previous subclinicalinfection in children. Am J Dis Child. Jan 1982;136(1):16-8. [Medline].
Masters EJ, Olson GS, Weiner SJ, Paddock CD. Rocky Mountain spotted fever: a clinician''s dilemma. Arch Intern Med. Apr 14 2003;163(7):769-74. [Medline].
McDade JE. Evidence supporting the hypothesis that rickettsial virulence factors determine the severity of spotted fever and typhus group infections. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1990;590:20-6. [Medline].
McKinnon HD Jr, Howard T. Evaluating the febrile patient with a rash. Am Fam Physician. Aug 15 2000;62(4):804-16. [Medline].
McQuiston JH, Holman RC, Groom AV, et al. Incidence of Rocky Mountain spotted fever among American Indians in Oklahoma. Public Health Rep. Sep-Oct 2000;115(5):469-75. [Medline].
Myers SA, Sexton DJ. Dermatologic manifestations of arthropod-borne diseases. Infect Dis Clin North Am. Sep 1994;8(3):689-712. [Medline].
Needham GR. Evaluation of five popular methods for tick removal. Pediatrics. Jun 1985;75(6):997-1002. [Medline].
Paddock CD, Brenner O, Vaid C, et al. Short report: concurrent Rocky Mountain spotted fever in a dog and its owner. Am J Trop Med Hyg. Feb 2002;66(2):197-9. [Medline].
Paddock CD, Holman RC, Krebs JW, Childs JE. Assessing the magnitude of fatal Rocky Mountain spotted fever in the United States: comparison of two national data sources. Am J Trop Med Hyg. Oct 2002;67(4):349-54. [Medline].
Perlman SJ, Hunter MS, Zchori-Fein E. The emerging diversity of Rickettsia. Proc Biol Sci. Sep 7 2006;273(1598):2097-106. [Medline].
Procop GW, Burchette JL Jr, Howell DN, Sexton DJ. Immunoperoxidase and immunofluorescent staining of Rickettsia rickettsii in skin biopsies. A comparative study. Arch Pathol Lab Med. Aug 1997;121(8):894-9. [Medline].
Radulovic S, Speed R, Feng HM, et al. EIA with species-specific monoclonal antibodies: a novel seroepidemiologic tool for determination of the etiologic agent of spotted fever rickettsiosis. J Infect Dis. Nov 1993;168(5):1292-5. [Medline].
Randall MB, Walker DH. Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Gastrointestinal and pancreatic lesions andrickettsial infection. Arch Pathol Lab Med. Dec 1984;108(12):963-7. [Medline].
Raoult D, Lena D, Perrimont H, et al. Haemolysis with Mediterranean spotted fever and glucose-6-phosphatedehydrogenase deficiency. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. 1986;80(6):961-2. [Medline].
Razzaq S, Schutze GE. Rocky mountain spotted fever: a physician's challenge. Pediatr Rev. Apr 2005;26(4):125-30. [Medline].
Roggli VL, Keener S, Bradford WD, et al. Pulmonary pathology of Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) in children. Pediatr Pathol. 1985;4(1-2):47-57. [Medline].
Rudakov NV, Shpynov SN, Samoilenko IE, Tankibaev MA. Ecology and epidemiology of spotted fever group Rickettsiae and new data from their study in Russia and Kazakhstan. Ann N Y Acad Sci. Jun 2003;990:12-24. [Medline].
Sanchez JL, Candler WH, Fishbein DB, et al. A cluster of tick-borne infections: association with military training andasymptomatic infections due to Rickettsia rickettsii. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. May-Jun 1992;86(3):321-5. [Medline].
Schlossberg D. Fever and rash. Infect Dis Clin North Am. Mar 1996;10(1):101-10. [Medline].
Sebastian L, Elder D, et al, eds. Bacterial diseases. Rocky Mountain spotted fever. In: Lever's Histopathology of the Skin. 8th ed. 1997:490.
Sexton DJ, Corey GR. Rocky Mountain "spotless" and "almost spotless" fever: a wolf in sheep''sclothing. Clin Infect Dis. Sep 1992;15(3):439-48. [Medline].
Sexton DJ, Kaye KS. Rocky mountain spotted fever. Med Clin North Am. Mar 2002;86(2):351-60, vii-viii. [Medline].
Silber JL. Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Clin Dermatol. May-Jun 1996;14(3):245-58. [Medline].
Silverman DJ. Adherence of platelets to human endothelial cells infected by Rickettsia rickettsii. J Infect Dis. Apr 1986;153(4):694-700. [Medline].
Singh-Behl D, La Rosa SP, Tomecki KJ. Tick-borne infections. Dermatol Clin. Apr 2003;21(2):237-44, v. [Medline].
Stallings SP. Rocky Mountain spotted fever and pregnancy: a case report and review of the literature. Obstet Gynecol Surv. Jan 2001;56(1):37-42. [Medline].
Sundy JS, Allen NB, Sexton DJ. Rocky Mountain spotted fever presenting with acute monarticular arthritis. Arthritis Rheum. Jan 1996;39(1):175-6. [Medline].
Taylor JP, Tanner WB, Rawlings JA, et al. Serological evidence of subclinical Rocky Mountain spotted fever infections in Texas. J Infect Dis. Feb 1985;151(2):367-9. [Medline].
Thorner AR, Walker DH, Petri WA Jr. Rocky mountain spotted fever. Clin Infect Dis. Dec 1998;27(6):1353-9; quiz 1360. [Medline].
Treadwell TA, Holman RC, Clarke MJ, et al. Rocky Mountain spotted fever in the United States, 1993-1996. Am J Trop Med Hyg. Jul-Aug 2000;63(1-2):21-6. [Medline].
Walker DH. Rocky Mountain spotted fever: a seasonal alert. Clin Infect Dis. May 1995;20(5):1111-7. [Medline].
Walker DH, Burday MS, Folds JD. Laboratory diagnosis of Rocky Mountain spotted fever. South Med J. Nov 1980;73(11):1443-6, 1449. [Medline].
Walker DH, Crawford CG, Cain BG. Rickettsial infection of the pulmonary microcirculation: the basis for interstitial pneumonitis in Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Hum Pathol. May 1980;11(3):263-72. [Medline].
Walker DH, Fishbein DB. Epidemiology of rickettsial diseases. Eur J Epidemiol. May 1991;7(3):237-45. [Medline].
Walker DH, Gay RM, Valdes-Dapena M. The occurrence of eschars in Rocky Mountain spotted fever. J Am Acad Dermatol. May 1981;4(5):571-6. [Medline].
Walker DH, Hawkins HK, Hudson P. Fulminant Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Its pathologic characteristics associated with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency. Arch Pathol Lab Med. Mar 1983;107(3):121-5. [Medline].
Walker DH, Kirkman HN. Rocky Mountain spotted fever and deficiency in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase. J Infect Dis. Nov 1980;142(5):771. [Medline].
Walker DH, Paletta CE, Cain BG. Pathogenesis of myocarditis in Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Arch Pathol Lab Med. Apr 1980;104(4):171-4. [Medline].
Weber DJ, Walker DH. Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Infect Dis Clin North Am. Mar 1991;5(1):19-35. [Medline].
Wei TY, Baumann RJ. Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis after Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Pediatr Neurol. Jul 1999;21(1):503-5. [Medline].
Wilson ME. Prevention of tick-borne diseases. Med Clin North Am. Mar 2002;86(2):219-38. [Medline].
Yang H, Wong H, Walsh JH, Tache Y. Effect of gastrin monoclonal antibody 28.2 on acid response to chemicalvagal stimulation in rats. Life Sci. 1989;45(25):2413-8. [Medline].
Further Reading
Clinical guideline
Diagnosis and management of tickborne rickettsial diseases: Rocky Mountain spotted fever, ehrlichioses, and anaplasmosis - United States. A practical guide for physicians and other health-care and public health professionals. 14
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Federal Government Agency [U.S.]. 2006 Mar 31. 27 pages. NGC:004897
Related eMedicine topics
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (Infectious Diseases)
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (Ophthalmology)
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (Pediatrics: General Medicine)
Tick-Borne Diseases, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
Rickettsial Infection
Keywords
Rocky Mountain spotted fever, RMSF, Rickettsia rickettsii, R rickettsii, tick-borne diseases, rickettsioses, Amblyomma cajennense, A cajennense, Rhipicephalus sanguineous, R sanguineous, Dermacentor andersoni, D andersoni, tick fever, spotted fever
Treatment & Medication: Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever