Key result
Metagenomic next-generation sequencing enabled rapid diagnosis of Rickettsia typhi in a patient with symmetrical peripheral gangrene, guiding life-saving doxycycline therapy which was associated with survival in 50% of severe cases reviewed.
Case Report (n=16)
This is the first reported case of murine typhus complicated by symmetrical peripheral gangrene, highlighting the utility of mNGS for rapid diagnosis of severe zoonotic infections.
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Background Murine typhus, a flea-borne infection caused by Rickettsia typhi , often presents with nonspecific symptoms that delay diagnosis. While usually self-limiting, it can rarely progress to multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). We report the first case of murine typhus complicated by symmetrical peripheral gangrene (SPG), in which metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) enabled rapid diagnosis and guided timely doxycycline therapy. Case presentation A 69-year-old female from South China was hospitalized with persistent abdominal pain and low-grade fever. She was a farmer and had suspected animal exposure. Laboratory investigations revealed hypoxia, abnormal coagulation profile, hepatorenal impairment, and thrombocytopenia. Despite empirical antibiotic therapy, her condition deteriorated progressively, manifested as hemodynamic instability, respiratory failure, and the emergence of purpuric-petechial cutaneous eruptions. Immediate interventions were initiated, including administration of vasoactive agents and mechanical ventilation. Based on mNGS, R. typhi was confirmed, she received targeted antibiotic treatment with intravenous doxycycline (100 mg twice daily). On the hospital day 16, gangrene of all four extremities became evident. The patient underwent amputation of all four extremities and survived, with systemic symptoms gradually resolving during 6-months follow-up. Conclusion This first reported case of murine typhus complicated by symmetrical peripheral gangrene (SPG) establishes its potential to cause life-threatening multiorgan failure. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) resolved the diagnostic challenge by rapidly identifying Rickettsia typhi , guiding life-saving doxycycline therapy and underscoring its value in severe zoonotic infections.
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Expands murine typhus complications to include symmetrical peripheral gangrene; hypothesis-generating for mNGS in severe zoonoses.
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Zhu et al. (2026) conducted a case report in Murine typhus complicated by multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) (n=16). Doxycycline and metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) was evaluated on Survival/Recovery. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing enabled rapid diagnosis of Rickettsia typhi in a patient with symmetrical peripheral gangrene, guiding life-saving doxycycline therapy which was associated with survival in 50% of severe cases reviewed.
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