Typhus infections

Typhus infections refer to a group of acute febrile illnesses caused by obligate intracellular bacteria of the genus *Rickettsia*, predominantly epidemic typhus (*Rickettsia prowazekii*, transmitted via body lice) and endemic or murine typhus (*Rickettsia typhi*, transmitted via fleas) Clinically, these systemic infections present with abrupt high fevers, severe headache, chills, myalgias, and a characteristic macular or maculopapular rash that typically spreads from the trunk to the extremities...

Typhus infections refer to a group of acute febrile illnesses caused by obligate intracellular bacteria of the genus *Rickettsia*, predominantly epidemic typhus (*Rickettsia prowazekii*, transmitted via body lice) and endemic or murine typhus (*Rickettsia typhi*, transmitted via fleas)

Pathophysiologically, the bacteria target and proliferate within vascular endothelial cells throughout the body, causing systemic microvascular injury, widespread vasculitis, and increased vascular permeability

Clinically, these systemic infections present with abrupt high fevers, severe headache, chills, myalgias, and a characteristic macular or maculopapular rash that typically spreads from the trunk to the extremities

Severe or untreated cases can progress to delirium, hypotension, multi-organ dysfunction, and life-threatening vascular collapse, with heightened severity often seen in crowded, unhygienic conditions or compromised hosts