A Study on Scrub Typhus in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Abstract

Scrub typhus is an acute, febrile illness caused by Rickettsia tsutsugamushi. Humans are accidental hosts in this zoonotic disease.  The epidemiological pattern of the reported cases of Scrub Typhus in the Medical College Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram during  Jan 2004 to October 2005 was studied. A total of 114 patients with symptoms suggestive of scrub typhus were admitted in  Medical College Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram during that period. Case series study was done by reviewing the medical records  of patients with scrub typhus who had been treated there. Of all the IP cases reported, about 60% cases were from rural parts and  about 55% of them were seen during the period August to January. It cannot be said for sure whether Scrub Typhus is a new comer  to our state or was a previously undiagnosed entity. However, during the appropriate season, the triad of Fever, Lymph Node  Enlargement and Eschar should alert the physician to consider a rickettsial cause.