An Epidemic of Oroya Fever in the Peruvian Andes
Abstract
Between February and October 1987, a febrile illness killed 14 persons and seriously affected at least 14 others in Shumpillan, a remote Peruvian mountain village of 353 people. The illness was characterized by fever, headache, chills, and pallor. The fatality rate of untreated cases was 88%. The patients, 71% of whom were male, were 1-75 years of age. Fatal illnesses progressed from lethargy to coma to death in 3-60 days. Patients treated empirically with chloramphenicol survived. Bartonella bacilliformis was isolated from the whole blood of 3 patients. A serologic study revealed a high prevalence of antibodies to B.bacilliformis in the villagers. It is concluded that the villagers suffered from an epidemic of Oroya fever.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1990
- Accession Number
- ADA223527
Entities
People
- Alberto A. Johnson
- Gregory C. Gray
- Jurgen Knobloch
- Scott A. Thornton
- William A. Smith
Organizations
- Naval Medical Research Center