Sociocultural descriptions of febrile syndromes in rural areas of Urabá, Colombia: An exploration of "tick fever" / Descrição sociocultural de síndromes febris em áreas rurais de Antioquia Urabá: um olhar sobre a "febre do carrapato"

Abstract Introduction: In 2006 and 2008 there were two lethal outbreaks of rickettsioses in the rural areas of Urabá, characterized by the lack of immediate diagnosis and antibiotic treatment. Objective: Describe sociocultural aspects about knowledge, attitudes and practices in relation to febrile syndromes and "tick fever" in rural areas of Urabá. Materials and methods: We conducted an exploratory study using knowledge, attitudes, and practices questionnaires and semi-structured interviews about febrile syndromes and "tick fever". We surveyed 246 heads of households and interviewed nine individuals. Results: We observed that people tended to identify febrile syndromes with signs and clinical symptoms of dengue, malaria, leptospirosis and rickettsioses. A considerable proportion of individuals (32.93%) knew very little about "tick fever", thinking that is was transmitted by mosquitos. They mentioned intestinal parasitoids, malaria, dengue, and "evil eye" among the causes of febrile syndromes. "Tick fever" is linked by its name to the bite of the tick. Furthermore, the treatments for febrile syndromes mentioned by interviewees are associated to those commonly used in western medicine and medicinal plants. Conclusions: There is a need for educational programs in rural areas, to raise awareness about these potential lethal conditions that can be effectively treated.

Resumo Introdução: Nos anos de 2006 e 2008, dois surtos letais de riquetsiose foram relatados em áreas rurais de Urabá, caracterizados pela falta de atenção imediata para o diagnóstico e tratamento com antibióticos. Objetivo: Descrever aspectos socioculturais do conhecimento, atitudes e práticas de síndromes febris e "febre do carrapato" em áreas rurais de Antioquia, Urabá. Materiais e métodos: Realizou-se estudo exploratório, através de inquéritos sobre CAP (conhecimentos, atitudes e práticas) e entrevistas semiestruturadas sobre síndromes febris e "febre do carrapato", um nome que se refere às doenças das riquetsioses na área. Foram aplicados 246 inquéritos sobre a CAP foram realizadas aos chefes de agregados familiares e nove pessoas foram entrevistadas. Resultados: Observou-se que as pessoas tendem a identificar os sinais e sintomas clínicos característicos da dengue, malária, leptospirose e até riquetsiose. Um grande número de pessoas demonstra baixo conhecimento sobre "febre do carrapato" e indicou que ela é transmitida por mosquitos (32,93%). Os entrevistados indicaram que as causas das diferentes síndromes febris se devem a parasitas intestinais, malária, dengue ou, como crença cultural, ao "mau olhado". A "febre do carrapato" o associa, pelo nome, com a mordida do carrapato. Além disso, o tratamento das síndromes febris referidas pelos entrevistados está intimamente relacionado ao uso comum da medicina ocidental e ao uso de "plantas medicinais". Conclusões. É necessário ter programas de educação nessas áreas rurais para que essas entidades potencialmente letais tenham um tratamento efetivo e acessível.

Atypical Rocky Mountain spotted fever with polyarticular arthritis.

BACKGROUND: Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is an acute, serious tick borne illness caused by Rickettsia rickettsi. Frequently, RMSF is manifested by headache, a typical rash and fever but atypical disease is common, making diagnosis difficult. Inflammatory arthritis as a manifestation is rare. The purpose of this study is to describe a patient with serologically proven RMSF who presented in an atypical manner with inflammatory arthritis of the small joints of the hands and to review the previously reported patients with rickettsial infection and inflammatory arthritis. METHODS: An 18-year-old woman presented with a rash that began on the distal extremities and spread centrally, along with hand pain and swelling. She had tenderness and swelling of the metacarpophlangeal joints on examination in addition to an erythematosus macular rash and occasional fever. RESULTS: Acute and convalescent serology demonstrated R rickettsi infection. She was successfully treated with doxycycline. CONCLUSIONS: Inflammatory arthritis is a rare manifestation of RMSF or other rickettsial infection with 8 previously reported patients, only 1 of whom had RMSF. Physician must have a high index of suspicion for RMSF because of atypical presentations.