Abstract

Mediterranean spotted fever is a tick-borne disease caused by Rickettsia conorii, which is transmitted by the dog tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus. It is an acute infectious disease typically characterized by fever, skin rash, and a black eschar(‘tache noire’)at the site of tick bite. Diagnosis is based on epidemiological, clinical and laboratory criteria. However, in atypical cases the diagnosis and treatment may be delayed. We describe the case of a 59 year-old man with mediterranean spotted fever who showed atypic signs of illness. Physicians must be carefull on the diagnosis of unusual types of rickettsial diseases in endemic areas.