Tick-borne relapsing fever in the white mountains, Arizona, USA, 2013–2018

Neema Mafi, Hayley D. Yaglom, Craig Levy, Anissa Taylor, Catherine O’grad, Heather Venkat, Kenneth K. Komatsu, Brentin Roller, Maria T. Seville, Shimon Kusne, John Leander Po, Shannon Thorn, Neil M. Ampel

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

Tick-borne relapsing fever (TBRF) is a bacterial infection transmitted by tick bites that occurs in several different parts of the world, including the western United States. We describe 6 cases of TBRF acquired in the White Mountains of Arizona, USA, and diagnosed during 2013–2018. All but 1 case-patient had recurrent fever, and some had marked laboratory abnormalities, including leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, hyperbilirubinemia, and elevated aminotransaminases. One patient had uveitis. Diagnosis was delayed in 5 of the cases; all case-patients responded to therapy with doxycycline. Two patients had Jarisch-Herxheimer reactions. The White Mountains of Arizona have not been previously considered a region of high incidence for TBRF. These 6 cases likely represent a larger number of cases that might have been undiagnosed.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)649-653
Number of pages5
JournalEmerging infectious diseases
Volume25
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2019

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Epidemiology
  • Microbiology (medical)
  • Infectious Diseases

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