Clinical profile of scrub typhus at a tertiary care hospital in northern India.

BACKGROUND

Scrub typhus is a reemerging, neglected zoonotic disease that poses a significant public health problem in endemic countries.

OBJECTIVES

To describe the clinical manifestations, biochemical profile and complications of Scrub typhus cases diagnosed at a tertiary care hospital in north India.

METHODS

We carried out a prospective observational study of patients presenting with acute febrile illness, with or without eschar, who subsequently were tested by ELISA for Scrub typhus IgM antibodies. A descriptive analysis of demographic, clinical, laboratory, complications, management, and outcome parameters of patients diagnosed with Scrub typhus was conducted.

RESULTS

A total of 27 cases of scrub typhus were diagnosed over 4 months from August 2025 to November 2025. The majority of the patients reported with fever along with nonspecific symptoms of abdominal pain, vomiting, myalgia and headache. Eschar was present in 67% (n = 18) of cases. Laboratory investigation revealed thrombocytopenia in 85%(n = 23) and hepatic dysfunction in 52% (n = 14) of cases. Scrub typhus IgM ELISA was positive in 85% (n = 23) of cases. Multiorgan system involvement requiring ICU management was also observed in 44%(n = 12) of cases. All cases recovered completely with treatment.

CONCLUSION

Scrub typhus is a commonly encountered febrile illness with varied, nonspecific presentation and frequently causes multisystem involvement. Multiorgan dysfunction results in severe illness with the need for ICU care and prolongs hospital stay. Timely recognition and treatment with antimicrobial therapy result in a successful outcome in most cases.