Mediterranean spotted fever presenting as an acute pancreatitis

Mediterranean spotted fever (MSF) is an infectious disease, caused by Rickettsia conorii. It can have a serious course, even deadly, with many types of complications. Described is a case of a 70-year-old man, hospitalized for fever, abdominal pain, amylase and lipase elevation, and ultrasound hypoechoic pancreas. The working diagnosis at admission was acute pancreatitis. 2 days after admission, the patient developed signs of MSF : fever, maculo- papular rash, and "tache noire". Treatment with oral doxycycline was started. After 5 days of therapy, there was complete remission of epigastric pain and fever. Gastrointestinal and hepatic complica- tions are described in association with Mediterranean spotted fever. Much more rare is pancreatic involvement. (Acta gastro- enterol. belg., 2011, 74, 91-92).