SEVERE ILLNESS CAUSED BY RICKETTSIA-CONORII

An 18-month-old boy presented with a 5-day history of lethargy, fever, vomiting and rash. He required intensive care for inotropic and venti latory support. He developed a disseminated intravascular coagulopathy and gangrene of his extremities. In addition, he had severe neurologi cal dysfunction and loss of vision, both of which recovered spontaneou sly with time. The potential severity of tick typhus caused by Rickett sia conorii is described as well as the importance of paired serologic al tests in the diagnosis of this condition.