Murine typhus (also called endemic typhus) is a form of typhus transmitted by fleas, usually on rats. (This is in contrast to epidemic typhus, which is usually transmitted by lice.

Causes

It is caused by the bacteria Rickettsia typhi, and is transmitted by the fleas that infest rats. ^[1]

Less often, endemic typhus is caused by Rickettsia felis and transmitted by fleas carried by cats or opossums.

Symptoms

Symptoms of endemic typhus include headache, fever, chills, myalgia, nausea, vomiting, and cough.

Symptoms may resemble those of measles, rubella, or possibly Rocky Mountain spotted fever.^[2]

Treatment and prognosis

Endemic typhus is highly treatable with antibiotics.^[1] Most people recover fully, but death may occur in the elderly, severely disabled or patients with a depressed immune system.

References

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