Scrub Typhus Co-infection in an Adolescent Girl with Varicella.

BACKGROUND

Co-infections with scrub typhus have been described quite frequently in adults but less frequently in children.

CASE CHARACTERISTICS: An adolescent girl with varicella infection who had persistent fever. Associated clinical features like pain abdomen, vomiting, and features of third space losses made us suspect a co-infection. IgM and IgG antibodies by ELISA in acute and convalescent serum were suggestive of scrub typhus.

OUTCOME: She recovered following a course of oral doxycycline.

MESSAGE: In unexplained prolonged fever or atypical clinical manifestations not explainable by the primary disease process, co-infection needs to be considered.