Murine typhus as the leading cause of non-focalized fever in the Canary Islands.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose and methods

This prospective study aims to diagnose the etiology of non-focalized fever lasting between 5 and 28 days in the islands of La Palma and El Hierro (Canary Islands, Spain) during 2021, using serology and PCR.

Results

The etiological profile described in this study aligns with that of fever of intermediate duration (FID), with zoonoses being the primary cause. Murine typhus (MT) is identified as the leading cause, followed by Q fever (QF). The incidence of MT is the highest reported nationally and comparable to the highest in Europe, with 39.6 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in La Palma and 79.7 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in El Hierro. Q fever, known to be endemic to the Canary Islands, presents incidences of 26.5 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in La Palma

SUBMITTER: Velez-Tobarias M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11754304 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature