Definition of Queensland tick typhus

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Queensland tick typhus: One of the tick-borne rickettsial diseases of the eastern hemisphere. Queensland tick typhus is similar to Rocky Mountain spotted fever, another tick-borne rickettsial disease, but is less severe. The clinical features of Queensland tick typhus include fever, a small ulcer (eschar) at the site of the tick bite, swollen glands nearby (satellite lymphadenopathy), and a red raised (maculopapular) rash.

Rickettsia such as that responsible for Queensland tick typhus are odd microorganisms. Like viruses, they have to live within other cells to survive. But like bacteria, rickettsia use oxygen, have metabolic enzymes and cell walls, and are susceptible to antibiotics.