[Mediterranean boutonneuse fever: retrospective study of 44 cases in the Bages region (Barcelona)].

Forty-four cases of boutonneuse mediterranean fever which developed from August 1982 to September 1987 in the Bages region (Barcelona) were retrospectively evaluated. Pediatric cases were excluded. The diagnosis was based on the clinical features. The results indicate a progressive increase of cases with time and a higher incidence in urban areas. There was a remarkably high index of relative bradycardia (81.8%). Doxycycline therapy was effective in 100% of patients. Only one instance of meningeal signs with normal CSF was detected as complication.