PREVALENCE OF SCRUB TYPHUS AMONG FEBRILE PATIENTS ATTENDING TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL IN CHENNAI

Introduction Scrub typhus, a rickettsial disease caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi, is spread by bite of larval trombiculid mites. The disease presents like any other febrile illness . Eschar if present is more diagnostic , but is invariably seen in our population. Hence diagnosis depends on strong clinical suspicion and appropriate serologic tests. As mortality can be as high as 35 and tetracyclines and chloramphenicol can effectively treat this disease , precise diagnosis becomes necessary for treating this disease.Aim To study the proportion of scrub typhus among undiagnosed febrile patients attending our hospital. Materials methods Patients presenting with fever of more than 7 days duration with undiagnosed aetiology were selected. Serum samples were collected from 100 febrile patients and tested by Weil-Felix test and ELISA.Result Of the 100 samples tested , Weil-Felix test was positive for scrub typhus in 15 cases (15). ELISA for IgM antibodies was positive in 30 (30) samples and Ig G antibodies were positive in 20(20) samples.Eschar was present in 3 of the fever cases. Conclusion This study shows there is rising prevalence of scrub typhus in this part of Chennai, especially during the cooler months of the year. There is a need for increased awareness of the disease among the clinicians for early diagnosis and management.