Murine typhus

Murine typhus, also known as endemic or flea-borne typhus, is an acute zoonotic febrile illness caused by the obligate intracellular bacterium *Rickettsia typhi* Transmission occurs when infected flea feces—predominantly from the oriental rat flea (*Xenopsylla cheopis*) or cat flea (*Ctenocephalides felis*)—contaminate bite wounds, abraded skin, or mucous membranes Patients typically present with an abrupt onset of high fever, severe headache, chills, and myalgias, often accompanied by a transie...

Murine typhus, also known as endemic or flea-borne typhus, is an acute zoonotic febrile illness caused by the obligate intracellular bacterium *Rickettsia typhi*

Transmission occurs when infected flea feces—predominantly from the oriental rat flea (*Xenopsylla cheopis*) or cat flea (*Ctenocephalides felis*)—contaminate bite wounds, abraded skin, or mucous membranes

Pathophysiologically, the organism targets and infects vascular endothelial cells, triggering systemic microvascular inflammation and increased vascular permeability

Pathophysiologically, the organism targets and infects vascular endothelial cells, triggering systemic microvascular inflammation and increased vascular permeability

Patients typically present with an abrupt onset of high fever, severe headache, chills, and myalgias, often accompanied by a transient macular or maculopapular rash that spreads centrifugally from the trunk While the disease course is frequently self-limiting or mild, severe systemic manifestations can develop, including meningoencephalitis, acute kidney injury, and respiratory compromise

While the disease course is frequently self-limiting or mild, severe systemic manifestations can develop, including meningoencephalitis, acute kidney injury, and respiratory compromise

While the disease course is frequently self-limiting or mild, severe systemic manifestations can develop, including meningoencephalitis, acute kidney injury, and respiratory compromise