Causes

Relapsing fever is an infection caused by several species of bacteria in the Borrelia family.

There are two major forms of relapsing fever:

• Tick-borne relapsing fever (TBRF) is transmitted by the Ornithodoros tick and occurs in Africa, Spain, Saudi Arabia, Asia, and certain areas in the western United States and Canada. The bacteria species associated with TBRF are Borrelia duttoni, Borrelia hermsii, and Borrelia parkerii.
• Louse-borne relapsing fever (LBRF) is transmitted by body lice and is most common in Asia, Africa, and Central and South America. The bacteria species associated with LBRF is Borrelia recurrentis.

Sudden fever occurs within 2 weeks of infection. In LBRF, the fever usually lasts 3-6 days and is usually followed by a single, milder episode. In TRBF, multiple episodes of fever occur and each may last up to 3 days. Individuals may be free of fever for up to 2 weeks before it returns.

In both forms, the fever episode may end in "crisis." This consists of shaking chills, followed by intense sweating, falling body temperature, and low blood pressure. This stage may result in death in up to 10% of people.

After several cycles of fever, some people may develop dramatic central nervous system signs such as seizures, stupor, and coma. The Borrelia organism may also invade heart and liver tissues, causing inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis) and liver (hepatitis). Widespread bleeding and pneumonia are other complications.

In the United States, TBRF usually occurs west of the Mississippi River, particularly in the mountainous West and the high deserts and plains of the Southwest. In the mountains of California, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Oregon, Washington, infections are usually caused by Borrelia hermsii and are often acquired in cabins in forests. It is possible that the risk now extends into the southeastern United States.

LBRF is mainly a disease of the developing world. It is currently seen in Ethiopia and Sudan. Famine, war, and the movement and groups of refugees often result in epidemics of LBRF. The largest recent epidemics of LBRF occurred during World Wars I and II. At least 1 million people died during these epidemics.

Symptoms

• Bleeding
• Coma
• Facial droop
• Headache
• Joint aches (arthralgia)
• Muscle aches (myalgia)
• Nausea
• Neck stiffness
• Rigors
• Seizures
• Sudden onset of high fever
• Unsteady gait
• Vomiting
• Weakness

Exams and Tests

Relapsing fever should be suspected if someone coming from a high-risk area has repeated episodes of fever. This is particularly true if the fever is followed by a "crisis" stage, and if the person may have been exposed to lice or soft-bodied ticks.

Tests that may be done include:

• Blood smear to determine the cause of the infection
• Blood antibody tests, sometimes used but their usefulness is limited

Treatment

Treatment involves antibiotics, most often tetracycline, doxycycline, erythromycin, or penicillin.

Outlook (Prognosis)

The death rate for untreated LBRF ranges from 10 - 70%. In TBRF, it is 4 -10%. With early treatment, the death rate is reduced. Those who have developed coma, myocarditis, liver problems, or pneumonia are more likely to die.

Possible Complications

• Coma
• Facial droop
• Liver dysfunction
• Meningitis
• Myocarditis -- may lead to arrhythmias
• Pneumonia
• Seizures
• Shock related to taking antibiotics (Jarisch - Herxheimer's reaction, in which the rapid death of very large numbers of Borrelia organisms induces shock)
• Weakness
• Widespread bleeding

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Notify your medical provider if you are a returning traveler and you develop fever -- there are many different possible infections that will need to be investigated in a timely manner.

Prevention

Wearing proper clothing and insect repellent will help prevent infection. Lice and tick control in high-risk areas is another important public health measure.

Alternative Names

Tick-borne relapsing fever, Louse-borne relapsing fever

References

Petri WA. Relapsing fever and other Borrelia infections. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007: chap 343.

Rhee KY, Johnson WD Jr. Borrelia species (relapsing fever). In: Mandell GL, Bennett JE, Dolan R, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett’s Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 7th ed. Orlando, FL: Saunders Elsevier; 2009:chap 241.

Updated: 4/10/2012

Reviewed by: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.