CLINICAL AND DEMOGRAPHIC STUDY OF SCRUB TYPHUS IN TERTIARY CARE CENTER AND OUTCOME WITH TRIPLE ANTIBIOTIC THERAPY

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Scrub typhus is a vector borne rickettsial disease commonly found in many parts of India. Present study objectives were to study the clinical and demographic profiles of scrub typhus cases in a tertiary care hospital. AIMS &  OBJECTIVE: This case series was undertaken with an aim to evaluate the clinical and demographic profile of scrub typhus admitted in tertiary care referral hospital and outcome with triple,double and single antibiotic therapy. We made two groups A and B  and used antibiotic therepy . group A, who was critical and required icu admission used triple antibiotic therepy (azithromycin, doxycycline and rifampicin )  and group B, required ward admission used double or single (azithromycin and doxycycline) antibiotic therepy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Study site - This study was conducted on 50 patients presented with fever in the department of medicine. A case series was carried out to analyze clinical and demographic profiles of patients who were positive for IgM antibodies against Orientia tsutsugamushi by scrub typhus IgM ELISA. Demographic details like age, sex and residence of patients, clinical signs, symptoms and complications if any were analyzed. RESULTS: All 50 (100%) patients presented with fever and 32(64.00%) patient were have less than 7 days fever and 18(36.00%) were have more than 7 days fever. Other common symptoms were vomiting 30(60.00%) ,abdominal pain 20(40%),headache 17 (34%),myalgia 18 (36%) ,altered sensorium 14 (28.00%),cough 8(16.00%),seizure 6 (12.00%),diarrhea 6(12.00%), respiratory distress 7(14.00%),oliguria 3(6.00%),bleeding 3(6.00%). CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge and awareness about the disease makes the diagnosis simple and fast, which in turn facilitates early appropriate antibiotic and supportive therapy, which helps in the recovery of the patient without acquiring complications.

Keywords- Clinical features, IgM scrub ELISA, Orientia tsutsugamushi, Scrub typhus