DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2015.v03i03.098

Pages: 1521-1524

Scrub typhus usually affects previously healthy active persons and if undiagnosed or diagnosed late, may prove to be life-threatening. Diagnosis of scrub typhus should be largely based on a high index of suspicion and careful clinical, laboratory and epidemiological evaluation. To describe the diverse clinical and laboratory manifestations of scrub typhus diagnosed in MBS Hospital, Kota. All cases of febrile illness diagnosed as scrub typhus over a period of 2 months were analysed. Diagnosis was based on ELISA test for antibody detection against 56 kDa antigen. Twenty Four cases of scrub typhus were seen over a period of 2 months (November. 2014-December. 2014). Common symptoms were high grade lever of 4-30 days duration, cough, haemoptysis and breathlessness. Eschar was seen in 6 patients. Liver enzymes were elevated in most of the cases (83.3%). Multiple organ dysfunction syndromes (MODS) was present in 16.66% of the patients (4 out of 24). Hypotension (2 patients. 8.3%). renal impairment (15 out of 24 patients. 62.5%), acute respiratory distress syndrome (4 patients. 16.66%) and meningitis (3 patients. 12.5%) were some of the important complications. There was a dramatic response to doxycycline in nearly all the patients. Scrub typhus has emerged as an important cause of febrile illness in Kota and nearby districts. Empirical treatment with doxycycline is justified in endemic areas.