biostudies-literatureUnknown25(1)Zhang M<h4>Background</h4>Rickettsia felis is a zoonotic pathogen belonging to the Rickettsia genus. Infection of children with central nervous system Rickettsia felis is very rare, with only a few cases reported worldwide.<h4>Case presentation</h4>We conducted a retrospective analysis of the clinical data, laboratory tests, and imaging results for a pediatric patient diagnosed with Rickettsia felis meningoencephalitis. The patient, an adolescent, initially presented with fever and headache. The condition progressed rapidly within six hours of admission, manifesting as photophobia, lethargy, and nuchal rigidity. The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis revealed leukocytosis, while cranial magnetic resonance imaging displayed abnormal signals in both basal ganglia and frontal-parietal regions. DetecBMC pediatrics901https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12584534biostudies-literatureRickettsia felis meningoencephalitis in a 10-year-old child: a case report and literature review.PMC12584534Diao YJiang LLu XChen JZhang MZhu XfalseRickettsia felis meningoencephalitis in a 10-year-old child: a case report and literature review.<h4>Background</h4>Rickettsia felis is a zoonotic pathogen belonging to the Rickettsia genus. Infection of children with central nervous system Rickettsia felis is very rare, with only a few cases reported worldwide.<h4>Case presentation</h4>We conducted a retrospective analysis of the clinical data, laboratory tests, and imaging results for a pediatric patient diagnosed with Rickettsia felis meningoencephalitis. The patient, an adolescent, initially presented with fever and headache. The condition progressed rapidly within six hours of admission, manifesting as photophobia, lethargy, and nuchal rigidity. The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis revealed leukocytosis, while cranial magnetic resonance imaging displayed abnormal signals in both basal ganglia and frontal-parietal regions. Detec2025-01-01T00:00:00Z2025 Nov2026-06-05T11:59:39.57Z2026-05-16T03:13:15.176ZS-EPMC125845344118877710.1186/s12887-025-06230-2