A Case Series on Spotted Fever and Typhus Fever Seropositivity at National Center for Disease Control and Epidemiological Perspective.

Background

The rickettsioses, except for typhus fever and scrub typhus (ST), were not really recognized as distinct clinical entities until the early 20th century. Only when specific rickettsial serologic testing was introduced in the 1940s could the precise etiologies of various rickettsial diseases (RDs) be determined with certainty. Although ST is a well- recognized zoonotic disease entity, but non-scrub typhus rickettsial infection like spotted fever group and typhus group are not well studied in India and are still underestimated.

Methods

We report cases who had shown seropositivity of spotted fever and typhus fever RD in IgM and IgG ELISA whose samples were referred from various hospitals of Delhi/National Capital Region in which clinicians had strong suspicion of rickettsiosis other than ST or Weil-Felix test found positive for any of the OX2, 19, and K antigens.

Results

We reported 18 cases of SFG and TGRD with mostly cases presented with fever followed by hepato-intestinal symptoms.

Conclusion

The vast variability and nonspecific presentation of rickettsiosis in spotted and typhus fever at times have often made it difficult to diagnose clinically. Prompt antibiotic therapy shortens the course of the disease, lowers the risk of complications, and in turn, reduces morbidity and mortality owing to RDs. There is a distinct need for physicians and health care workers at all levels of care in India to be aware of the clinical features, available diagnostic tests and their interpretation, and the therapy for these infections.