A Case Report of Scrub Typhus with Multi Organ Dysfunction

Abstract

Scrub typhus is an acute febrile illness recently re-emerging from sub urban and urban areas of Thiruvananthapuram. Usually it presents as short febrile illness of self limiting nature. But it may involve any organ resulting in complications like pneumonitis, atypical pneumonia, ARDS, altered liver function tests, acute kidney injury (AKI), myocarditis, thrombocytopenia, meningoencephalitis, or multi organ dysfunction. This can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. We report a case of scrub typhus presenting as multi organ dysfunction. Knowledge about the varied clinical presentations and complications of scrub typhus will help in early recognition and treatment so that complications can be avoided.