GARDENS FEVER - An acute disease caused by the bacteria Rickettsia akari and transmitted by the mite Liponyssoides sanguineus. This mite is normally parasitic on mice, with transmission to man by accidental biting by infected mites. The disease manifests with a raised red skin lesion which develops into a deep-seated blister and then shrinks to form a black eschar. Systemic symptoms develop about a week after the appearance of the papule and include fever, chills, headache, backache, sweating, and localized lymph node swelling.