Apparently when host defenses falter, viable organisms retained in the body are activated, causing recurrent typhus. Lice that feed on patients may acquire infection and transmit the agent. Also, R. prowazekii may be isolated from the blood by animal inoculation. The disease is sporadic, occurring at any season and in the absence of infected lice. Symptoms and signs of the illness are almost always mild and resemble epidemic typhus with similar circulatory disturbances and include hepatic, renal, and CNS changes.
Mortality is nil.
For diagnosis and treatment, see Differential Diagnosis and Treatment of Rickettsial Diseases, above. All rights reserved.