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Journal Article > Research

Clinical presentation of louse-borne relapsing fever among Ethiopian refugees in northern Somalia

Brown V, Larouze B, Desve G, Rousset JJ, Thibon M, Fourrier A, Schwoebel V
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Abstract
Louse-borne relapsing fever (LBRF) is still endemic among Ethiopian populations. In order to assess the clinical presentation of LBRF in an Ethiopian refugee camp in northern Somalia, a referral system was organized for all pyrexias of unknown origin. Among the 134 patients referred, 37 showed Borrelia in fresh and stained blood smears. Common clinical features were: high fever (above 39 degrees C in 73% of the cases), headache and general body pain (88%), liver tenderness (62%), petechia (54%), nausea and vomiting (46%), chills and rigors (30%) and epistaxis (11%). Jaundice was absent. No fatalities were observed. The clinical picture was less severe than in previous studies on LBRF. This difference might be due to the fact that the present study was community-based as opposed to the previous studies which were hospital-based.
Countries
EthiopiaSomalia
Subject Area
infections, other
DOI
10.1080/00034983.1988.11812282
Published Date
01-Oct-1988
PubMed ID
3257078
Languages
English
Journal
Annals of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology
Volume / Issue / Pages
Volume 82, Issue 5, Pages 499-502
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