Antibiotic treatment of rickettsiosis, recent advances and current concepts.

The author reviews the recent advances in the treatment of Mediterranean Spotted Fever and Q fever. In mediterranean spotted fever (M.S.F.), in vitro and preliminary in vivo data support the place of quinolones and josamycin in the treatment of M.S.F. In children josamycin could become the first choice drug as well as in pregnant woman. In Q fever chronic disease should be treated using a combination of antibiotic (doxycycline + quinolones) for a minimum of 3 years.