Dutton's relapsing fever

Dutton's relapsing fever

Etymology: Joseph E. Dutton, English pathologist, 1877-1905

an infection caused by a spirochete, Borrelia duttonii, which is transmitted by a soft tick, Ornithodoros moubata, found in human dwellings in tropical Africa. The spirochete enters the lesion through a tick bite, characteristically producing a high fever, chills, rapid heartbeat, headache, joint and muscle pain, vomiting, and neurologic disorders. The symptoms recur in a pattern of remissions and peaks of fever and other effects. The infection is spread through the community as ticks bite infected people, thereby acquiring the spirochete for inoculation in others. Treatment with tetracycline is usually effective in curing the infection. Also called African relapsing fever, tick-borne relapsing fever. See also relapsing fever.