[Pediatric Mediterranean spotted fever].

In France, Mediterranean spotted fever due to Rickettsia conorii is mainly observed in the South-east. Rhipicephalus sanguineus, the brown dog tick, is the vector and the reservoir of the disease. Clinical diagnosis relies on the association of fever, rash and inoculation's scar during summertime. Pathological lesion is a diffuse vasculitis. Severity is often explained by a delay in diagnosis, but prognosis is good in pediatrics. Treatment relies on doxycycline and on macrolids in children under eight.