“A case of spirochetal infection in man,” with microscopical demonstrations

Abstract

The author's object in presenting this case was to give the members of the society an opportunity of seeing spirochetas under the microscope. He did not discuss the clinical history of the case, which occurred in the service of Dr. Carlisle, of Bellevue Hospital.

In July, of this year (1905), the patient shipped as an assistant steward on the steamship Denver, of the Mallory line; he stayed five days in Galveston, sleeping on board, and returned on the same steamer to New York. Two days later he was taken with a chill, accompanied by fever, prostration, and pains in the bones. On admission he had a temperature of 102.4°. The fever continued for two days. After four days of normal temperature, there was a rise of temperature to 105°, which was followed by a period of apyrexia for ten days, when he again had a relapse. At that time the examination of the blood by Dr. Heitlinger showed the presence of a few spirochetas. Ten days later there was another relapse and rise in temperature, associated with the presence of spirochetas in the blood. Inoculation of a monkey with blood containing the organisms gave rise to an infection, with the presence of spirochetas. The monkey has had three relapses thus far with rise of temperature, and the presence of spirochetas in the blood. Two additional monkeys have been infected with the blood of the first monkey.

The case reported is of interest from many points of view. It appears to be the first case of spirochetal infection reported in this country that was verified by microscopic examination of the blood. Another case, it is said, has been recently observed in one of the hospitals of this city.