Year: 2024
Type: article
Study design: Case Report
Abstract: A woman in her late 70s presented with a fever, rashes, and marked proximal muscle weakness. Noninfectious conditions, including myositis and vasculitis, were initially considered. Treatment with cephalosporins was ineffective, but the symptoms improved with minocycline, indicating possible Japanese spotted fever (JSF) despite no apparent history of tick exposure. The diagnosis was confirmed by serological tests. A skin biopsy revealed leukocytoclastic vasculitis with immune complex deposition, suggesting muscle damage due to immune complexes. This case underscores the need to consider JSF in patients with atypical symptoms and initiate timely treatment to prevent severe complications.
Source: Internal Medicine
Authors: Keigo Kobayashi, Haruna Baba, Riki Takeda, Susumu Nishiyama, Shu Nakamoto, Yasuhiro Umekawa
Institution: Kurashiki Medical Center
Language: English
Subfield: Parasitology
Field: Immunology and Microbiology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4405780737