Seroprevalence and potential risk factors associated with severe scrub typhus infection: an experience from a tertiary care set up in Odisha, India
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Abstract
diseases.
Objectives: Owing to the lack of adequate prevalence data from our region, the present study aims to denote the prevalence of scrub typhus in Odisha and factors associated with development of various complications of this disease.
Material and Methods: All patients who were clinically suspected as scrub typhus during the study period of one year coming to our hospital were tested for IgM antibodies against Orientia tsutsugamushi by commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. Other common endemic diseases were ruled out by appropriate tests. Clinical data for admitted patients were obtained from case sheets. The patient demographics, treatment and laboratory data of the complicated and uncomplicated scrub typhus cases were noted. Data was entered in excel sheet and tabulated by SPSS software.
Results: In the study among 2449 suspected cases, 398(16.3%) were positive for scrub typhus by IgM ELISA with peak incidence from August to November months. There was male preponderance of the illness with peak age of affection being 51-60 years. Eschar was noted only in 6 cases, and 49 cases went on to have various complications, commonest being meningoencephalitis. Mortality was very low in our study. Longer duration of fever before seeking treatment was significantly associated with development of complications.
Conclusion: The prevalence of scrub typhus was 16.3 % among the study population. Taking scrub typhus diagnostics to the peripheral level is the need of the hour to ensure early diagnosis and prevent severe disease.
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Personal views expressed by the contributors in their articles are not necessarily those of the Journal of Associated Medical Sciences, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University.
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