A Leopard without spots : clinical diagnosis and treatment of Rocky Mountain spotted fever

Thursday, April 12, 20182:00pm (Eastern Time)Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF), a life-threatening and rapidly progressive tickborne disease, is caused by infection from the bacterium Rickettsia rickettsii. Infection begins with non-specific symptoms like fever, headache, and muscle pain, but unmitigated damage to the vascular endothelium quickly results in organ failure, necrosis, and ultimately death. Early clinical diagnosis is key\u2014as treatment within the first 5 days of illness has been associated with lower mortality. Additionally, newer diagnostics are now available that can aid in early detection. RMSF is a recently-emerging pathogen in Arizona and along the U.S.-Mexico border region. Case fatality rates in these regions have been extremely high and closely tied to widespread tick and free-roaming dog populations. During this COCA call, clinicians will learn about the detection, diagnosis, and epidemiology of RMSF.slides_041218_Rocky_Mountain_Spotted_Fever.pdfDon\u2019t overlook assessing environmental exposures : during a disaster and every day / Diane E. Hindman -- Don\u2019t overlook assessing environmental exposures : during a disaster and every day : wildfire smoke & pregnancy / Marya G. Zlatnik -- Don\u2019t overlook assessing environmental exposures : during a disaster and every day : post hurricane mixed exposures / Perry Sheffield -- Educational materials from ATSDR / Brian Tencza .2018755