Clinical spectrum and complications of scrub typhus: a single-centre, pilot observation from central India

Background: 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.Methods: A retrospective analysis of 16 IgM ELISA confirmed scrub typhus cases was done. Clinical features, signs, laboratory parameters and complications were identified. Age (<40 Versus >40 years) and gender (male versuss female) specific comparisons were performed. Data were analysed descriptively with appropriate statistical tests.Results: 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<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.Conclusions: 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