Flea-borne typhus (FBT), also known as murine typhus, is a zoonotic infection caused by R. typhi with world-wide distribution. In the United States, the infection is uncommon but remains endemic in some areas, including Los Angeles County. It typically manifests as a benign acute febrile illness but can be complicated in a minority of cases. Associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) has been described in a limited number of cases. Here, we present a case of a patient with FBT complicated by HLH treated empirically with doxycycline with subsequent resolution of HLH. Also included is a review of the literature of other published cases.

Hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae (hvKp) causes invasive infections in the community setting. We report a rare case of uterine abscess due to hvKp, which appeared as a large-sized ovarian tumor-like pelvic mass. A timely laboratory warning of possible hvKp prompted correct diagnosis and helped guide perioperative decision making, contributing to successful treatment.