BrillâZinsser disease | |
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Specialty | Infectious diseases |
BrillâZinsser disease is a delayed relapse of epidemic typhus, caused by Rickettsia prowazekii. After a patient contracts epidemic typhus from the fecal matter of an infected louse ( Pediculus humanus), the rickettsia can remain latent and reactivate months or years later, with symptoms similar to or even identical to the original attack of typhus, including a maculopapular rash. [1] At such times, typhus can be transmitted to other individuals through fecal matter of the louse vector, and generate a new epidemic of the disease.[ citation needed]
BrillâZinsser disease | |
---|---|
Specialty | Infectious diseases |
BrillâZinsser disease is a delayed relapse of epidemic typhus, caused by Rickettsia prowazekii. After a patient contracts epidemic typhus from the fecal matter of an infected louse ( Pediculus humanus), the rickettsia can remain latent and reactivate months or years later, with symptoms similar to or even identical to the original attack of typhus, including a maculopapular rash. [1] At such times, typhus can be transmitted to other individuals through fecal matter of the louse vector, and generate a new epidemic of the disease.[ citation needed]