Beyond the eschar: African tick-bite fever in a returning traveller - a diagnostic and public health consideration in Europe

Background: , is the most common tick-borne rickettsiosis among travellers returning from sub-Saharan Africa. In non-endemic regions, its relevance lies mainly in diagnostic challenges in returning travellers and the need for continued vigilance in vector-borne disease surveillance. Case presentation: . The patient was treated with oral doxycycline (200 mg/day) with rapid clinical improvement. Discussion: may offer improved resolution for future studies within the spotted fever group. Conclusions: This case illustrates the typical clinical presentation and diagnostic approach to ATBF in a European traveller. Although it represents an imported travel-associated infection rather than evidence of local transmission, it underscores the importance of clinical awareness and integrated surveillance within a One Health framework.