TY - JOUR AU - Deshmukh, Jay AU - Saoji, Sandhya AU - Deshmukh, Arjun AU - Katekhaye, Vijay M. PY - 2016/12/19 Y2 - 2024/03/29 TI - Clinical spectrum and complications of scrub typhus: a single-centre, pilot observation from central India JF - International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences JA - Int J Res Med Sci VL - 4 IS - 11 SE - Original Research Articles DO - 10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20163788 UR - https://www.msjonline.org/index.php/ijrms/article/view/238 SP - 4898-4902 AB - <p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Scrub typhus is known from various parts of India. However, reports from central India are lacking. We performed pilot observation of confirmed scrub typhus cases from a single, tertiary care centre from central India.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> A retrospective analysis of 16 IgM ELISA confirmed scrub typhus cases was done. Clinical features, signs, laboratory parameters and complications were identified. Age (&lt;40 Versus &gt;40 years) and gender (male versuss female) specific comparisons were performed. Data were analysed descriptively with appropriate statistical tests.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> Diagnosed cases of scrub typhus were frequent in patients aged below 40 years (68.8) and in females (81.2%). Fever (100%), nausea±vomiting (68.8%) and headache (56.2%) were common symptoms. Rash was reported in a single case whereas characteristic eschar of scrub typhus was not observed in any patient. Mean hospital stay duration did not vary either by gender or by age-groups. Laboratory abnormalities did not show any significant deviation by gender or age analysis except mean haemoglobin being lower in females than males (10.1±1.4 Vs 12.3±1.1, p&lt;0.05). Among various complications, anaemia (56.2%), thrombocytopenia (56.2%), elevated liver enzymes (37.5%) and pleural effusion (37.5%) were frequent. Overall, the number of complications were more in females (88.2%) and younger age (73.5%) groups. No deaths were seen in our set-up.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Our pilot observation suggests scrub typhus is common in females and in younger age groups. These findings need further exploration in a large, prospective, trial in confirmed cases of scrub typhus.</p> ER -