Boutonneuse fever

Definition

A rare spotted fever rickettsiosis caused by infection with the tick-borne bacterium Rickettsia conorii, characterized by the onset of fever after an incubation period of about a week, followed by a centripetally spreading maculopapular rash, which may evolve into a petechial form. Accompanying symptoms are headaches, myalgia and/or arthralgia, among others. The typical ''tache noire'' may be observed at the site of the tick bite for several days. The disease is endemic in Africa, Southern Europe, and India.