Study of Epidemiology, Clinical Profile and Laboratory Diagnosis of Scrub Typhus in and around Puducherry

Aim: To study epidemiology, clinical profile and laboratory diagnosis of scrub typhus in and around Puducherry. Materials and Methods: This is a single centre, cross sectional study at tertiary care hospital in Puducherry, India. Clinically suspected cases of scrub typhus among all patients of febrile illness over a period of two years were analyzed. Diagnosis was confirmed serologically by Weil Felix test, Immunochromatographic Card (ICT) test and IgM ELISA test.Statistical analysis was carried out using statistical package for social sciences software (SPSS version 6.0). Results: One hundred and fourteen cases of clinically suspected scrub typhus were analyzed over a period of two years (October 2012 to September 2014). Common symptoms were fever, myalgia and headache. Eschar was seen in 11 cases (9.09 %). Liver enzymes were raised (20%). Jaundice was the most common complication (8.23 %) followed by meningitis (3.5%), Renal failure (1.17 %). Weil Felix Test was positive (with titre ≥ 1:80) in 55 cases (48.24%). Immunochromatographic Card Test (ICT) was positive in 93 cases (81.57%).IgM ELISA Test was positive in 95 cases (83.33%). Conclusion: Scrub typhus has emerged as an important cause of febrile illness in Puducherry. If timely diagnosed, treatment of Scrub typhus is simple (tab Doxycycline). Scrub typhus should be considered for differential diagnosis in cases of febrile illness. Author Affiliations: 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 Department of Microbiology, Aarupadai Veedu Medical College & Hospital, Pondicherry, India. 3 Department of General Medicine, Aarupadai Veedu Medical College & Hospital, Pondicherry, India.