Scrub typhus: as it stands today

Scrub-typhus.

Scrub typhus is an important emerging tropical infection that can have severe manifestations in children leading to intensive care admission. It is caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi, a gram negative bacterium transmitted to humans by the bite of larval trombiculid mites. The organism is endemic in south-east Asia and the disease is reported from virtually all parts of India. The hallmark of this...

Scrub Typhus Presenting as Acute Cerebellitis.

Scrub typhus is known to present with varied presentation including involvement of central nervous system. We present a case who presented with fever and features of isolated cerebellitis. Serum showed IgM antibodies to scrub typhus by ELISA. Patient showed rapid response to doxycycline and dexamethasone.

Scrub typhus complicating pregnancy.

Scrub Typhus in Himalayas

Himachal Pradesh state of India is situated in the outer Himalayan ranges. During the rainy season, several cases of acute febrile illness of unknown origin occurred. Orientia tsutsugamushi was identified as the causative agent by microimmunofluorescence and PCR. Two new genotypes of O. tsutsugamushi were identified in the region.

Scrub Typhus without Eruption

A 72-year-old woman presented with a chief complaint of fever for 5 days. Her blood pressure was 120/70 mmHg, and her body temperature was 38°C (axillary). Physical examination showed that her chest was clear, and her liver and spleen were not palpable. No skin rash was observed, but an eschar on her chest was discovered (Figure 1). Routine laboratory tests revealed normal leukocyte and platele...