Emergence of murine typhus in La Réunion, France, 2012-2017.

•Murine typhus (MT) is probably a cause of undifferentiated fever in La Réunion. However, MT is poorly known because of its poorly specific clinical presentation, its recent description on the island, and the presence of other infectious diseases such as leptospirosis. We aimed to clinically and biologically characterize MT. Epidemiological data revealed a seasonal factor and specific geographical data. Such data is important for establishing MT diagnosis and for differentiating it from leptospirosis. We also described pulmonary manifestations that may be responsible for severe presentations of the disease.