Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever in Arizona: Difficult to Diagnose

In a retrospective review of cases on tribal reservations, dog contact, tick exposure, and fever with rash were more common in those with RMSF than in controls.

Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) emerged on tribal reservations in Arizona in 2003 in association with an unusual vector, the brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus). Tetracyclines are effective if started in early illness; other antibiotics are ineffective, however, and risk for death increases despite appropriate treatment if it is initiated later in the disease course. Prompt recognition is therefore essential.

To search for distinguishing characteristics of RMSF, researchers from the Indian Health Service, the Arizona Department of Health Services, and other health agencies retrospectively analyzed the medical records of patients from two tribal reservation communities in Arizona who were tested for RMSF. They identified 205 patient…

Reviewing Author

Neil M. Ampel, MD

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Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesCoccidioidomycosis Study Group (Past President, Secretary, Treasurer)

Neil M. Ampel, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesCoccidioidomycosis Study Group (Past President, Secretary, Treasurer)

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever in Arizona: Difficult to Diagnose

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Reviewing Author