Clinical Manifestations and Complications of Scrub Typhus: A Hospital-based Study from North Andhra.

AIMS AND

OBJECTIVES

To describe the diversity of clinical manifestations, laboratory findings and outcome of scrub typhus in hospitalised patients of Tirumala Hospital, Vizianagaram during 2014-2015.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

All the cases of acute febrile illness diagnosed as scrub typhus were analysed. Diagnosis was based on clinical and serological data.

OBSERVATIONS AND

RESULTS

A total of 60 patients were studied. All of them presented with fever; the other major symptoms were headache, cough, dyspnoea and myalgia. On examination, Eschar was seen in 10 cases and common sites was trunk and axilla. Patients had hepatosplenomegaly, lymphadenopathy and eschar. On investigation elevated SGOT, SGPT with normal or elevated bilirubin levels were the most common findings. Other laboratory findings were thrombocytopenia and deranged renal function tests. Other complications were MODS, ARDS, hypotension and meningoencephalitis. There was a dramatic response to doxycycline in nearly all the patients.

CONCLUSION

Scrub typhus though prevalent is under-reported in our country. It should be considered as an important differential diagnosis in a febrile patient with thrombocytopenia, deranged liver or renal functions. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment is rewarding and prevents morbidity and mortality.