Can RMFS stay dormant in a person for years and years like Lyme does? What about Ehrlichia?
Thank you, Leelee
Posted by Tincup (Member # 5829) on :
Looks like you turned 100 today.
Congratulations!
Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1997 Nov;78(11):1277-80. Links Persisting impairment following Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever: a case report.
Bergeron JW, Braddom RL, Kaelin DL. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis 46202-5111, USA.
A patient initially presented in the emergency room with fever, confusion, and a petechial rash. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) was diagnosed and appropriate treatment was initiated.
He subsequently became obtunded and required mechanical ventilation and temporary cardiac pacing.
Four weeks later, he presented to our rehabilitation unit with ataxia, hyperreflexia and upper motor neuron signs, dysesthesias, sensorimotor axonopathy demonstrated by electrodiagnostic studies, and a global decrement in cognitive capability.
Although he significantly improved in functional mobility and self-care, he exhibited little improvement in his cognitive impairment at 6-month follow-up.
An understanding of the natural history of, and long-term impairments associated with, RMSF will be helpful to physiatrists in developing rehabilitation care plans and in assisting such patients with community re-entry.
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AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 1997 Mar;18(3):459-64. Links Comparison of CT and MR features with clinical outcome in patients with Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
Bonawitz C, Castillo M, Mukherji SK. Department of Radiology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill 27599, USA.
PURPOSE: To compare neuroimaging findings and clinical features in patients with Rocky Mountain spotted fever and to determine the impact of imaging studies in the treatment of these patients.
MATERIALS: We reviewed the brain CT scans (n = 44), MR images (n = 6), or both (n = 4), and one MR spinal study in 34 patients with Rocky Mountain spotted fever, proved by definitive serologic criteria.
Records were reviewed with attention to clinical symptoms and therapeutic modifications based on neuroimaging; outcomes were compared with imaging findings.
RESULTS: Abnormalities, consisting of infarctions, cerebral edema, meningeal enhancement, and prominent perivascular spaces, were found on four of 44 CT scans and on four of six MR studies.
The spinal MR study showed abnormal enhancement of the lower spinal cord and cauda equina.
Nonspecific clinical symptoms were present in all patients in whom neuroimaging findings were abnormal and in 80% of patients whose CT and/or MR findings were normal.
After treatment, return to baseline clinical status was documented in 67% of patients with abnormal imaging findings and in 93% with normal findings.
Death occurred in 17% of patients with abnormal neuroimaging results and in none of those with normal results.
CONCLUSIONS: Abnormalities on neuroimaging studies were not common in patients with Rocky Mountain spotted fever. When present, they were subtle.
Symptoms at presentation and unfavorable outcomes were more prevalent when CT or MR findings were abnormal. Abnormalities identified on neuroimaging studies did not alter clinical treatment in any patient.
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J Infect Dis. 1990 Apr;161(4):609-17.Links Ehrlichiosis--a disease of animals and humans.
McDade JE. Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, Georgia 30333.
Ehrlichiae are one of several kinds of obligate intracellular bacteria.
Taxonomically, they are grouped with rickettsiae, but they can be distinguished by their unique tropism for circulating leukocytes.
Ehrlichia canis causes a pancytopenia in dogs that becomes chronic if untreated.
Certain breeds develop severe infections, characterized by fever, anorexia, dramatic weight loss, marked pancytopenia, anemia, peripheral edema, and hemorrhage.
Ehrlichia risticii, a recently discovered species, is the cause of a serious diarrheal disease of horses.
Other species of ehrlichiae have been documented as being veterinary pathogens.
Recent data indicate that E. canis or a closely related species causes an acute febrile illness in humans.
Clinically, the disease is similar to Rocky Mountain spotted fever, except that most patients do not have a rash. Human ehrlichiosis appears to be tickborne and is prevalent primarily in the southern Atlantic and south-central states.
A mild from of ehrlichiosis has also been documented.
Posted by Leelee (Member # 19112) on :
Thank you Tincup. That answered my questions! Posted by MY3BOYS (Member # 17830) on :
did in me
Posted by MY3BOYS (Member # 17830) on :
well, in all fairness we think this may go back to acute hosptilazation for me back in 97.
was in hosp 10 days and home with PICC line, think that was when hit with RMSF, but was just dx as severe bilat, double pneum wiht renal fail
any rash would have been looked at as med. reaction, but had 104 fever, renal failure, and was out of it for most of the hosp stay-- LLMD thiks may have been time of infcetion since is so serious
on that note, i now have only igm antibodies, have never been able to produce igg- to anythings except m. pnum.
Posted by Leelee (Member # 19112) on :
MY3BOYS,
How long do you think you were infected with RMSF before your hospitalization and symptoms appeared?
I'm wondering if it can stay in a person for say, 20 to 30 years, like Lyme can.
Hope you are doing better now.
Leelee
Posted by Tracy9 (Member # 7521) on :
Blake just tested positive for RMSF, and his tick bite was ten years ago. Guess he was just never tested for it before.
So it appears he has had it for ten years. Not sure what to make of that, but they are treating him for it now with Doryx.
Posted by SpottedRocky (Member # 11970) on :
I contracted RMSF in 2002 My first positive RMSF was in may of 2007. Since then I have tested positve five times. ALL IGM's and IGG's are positive including the IFA they do also. I have a couple docs calling it chronic rmsf. But i beleive mine is chronic because of a parasite infection i have also.
Posted by Need Lots of Help (Member # 18603) on :
I have the Ehrlichia (HME) form. There is also a HGE form.
I have had problems for 20 years, but not sure if it is lyme or ehrlichia. I just want them both to give me a break.
However, my positive erhlichia was IGG...and lyme was positive IGM and IGG.
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