Louse‐borne relapsing fever in Finland in two asylum seekers from Somalia |
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| Authors: | Jukka Hytönen Tamim Khawaja Juha O. Grönroos Anna Jalava Seppo Meri Jarmo Oksi |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland;2. Microbiology and Genetics Department, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland;3. Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland;4. Department of Bacteriology and Immunology, Haartman Institute, Helsinki, Finland;5. Immunobiology Research Program, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland;6. HUSLAB, Helsinki, Finland;7. University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland |
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| Abstract: | We report two cases of louse‐borne relapsing fever (LBRF) in young Somali asylum seekers having recently arrived to Finland. They had sought medical attention for a febrile illness. Blood smears were examined for suspected malaria, but instead, spirochete shaped bacteria were observed. The bacteria were confirmed as Borrelia recurrentis by PCR and sequencing. The patients survived, but their treatment was complicated by Jarisch–Herxheimer reaction. We conclude that LBRF must be considered as a diagnostic option in febrile refugees also in the northernmost parts of Europe. |
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| Keywords: | Louse‐borne relapsing fever Borrelia recurrentis refugee |
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