A study of scrub typhus cases from a tertiary care hospital in Dehradun

Abstract

Introduction: Scrub Typhus is a trombiculid mite-borne rickettsial zoonosis caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi, which is widely endemic in the Asia–Pacific region and threatens a population of millions. Aim and Objectives: To study epidemiology and clinical profile of Scrub Typhus Cases in a clinical setting and to clarify current diagnostic issues of scrub typhus. Materials and methods: Study period was August to December 2014. 197 clinical cases confirmed by positive result in immunoglobulin (IgG, IgM or IgA) using a rapid immuno-chromatographic assay (Bioline SD Tsutsugamushi One Step Scrub typhus Antibody test) were included. Results: 27.4% cases were in the age group of 20-30 years followed by cases in the age group of 10-20 as well as 40-50 years (15.7%). More than half of all the cases were female (58.4%). 29.9% were still studying and and 17.8% were illiterate/just literate. 29.4% cases were from district Dehradun followed by cases from district Saharanpur (25.4%). Most cases were not working, i.e. were housewives (42.6%) followed by students (29.9%). Most common presenting features were fever with gastro-intestinal symptoms (51.3%). All the cases were treated with appropriate antibiotics (Doxycycline, Azithromycin and a higher generation cephalosporin for secondary complications). 38.1% cases went on to develop a complication during their hospital stay. All were discharged in satisfactory condition except for two mortalities during the study period