Epidemiologic aspects of leptospirosis.

ADDRESS: Atlanta, Georgia. to a possible source of infection may provide a clue to the recognition of these discases when they occur in children. Rocky Mountain spotted fever, munine typhus and rickettsialpox arc transmitted to children by invertebrate vectors. However, the child frequently may be unaware that he has been the accidental host of vectors of the last two diseases. Since Q fever is transmitted by air-borne dust, this disease should be considered in the diagnosis of illnesses resembling atypical pneumonia that occur among children directly or indirectly associated with livestock. Diagnosis of these rickcttsial diseases may be difficult, even with the aid of laboratory tests, if patients have been treated early with broad-spectruim antibiotics.