Clinical and Laboratory Profile of Scrub Typhus: Experience from a Tertiary Care Hospital in Western Uttar Pradesh, India
Arjun Singh Bisht, Anita Pandey, Peetam Singh, Kalpana Chauhan, Maira BansalObjectives:
The present study aimed to estimate the burden and describe the clinical profile of scrub typhus among patients with acute febrile illness (AFI) in the Meerut region of Western Uttar Pradesh, India, while evaluating the role of immunoglobulin M (IgM), enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the laboratory diagnosis.
Methods:
This cross-sectional study was carried out in a total of 350 patients presenting with AFI of <10 days’ duration. Serum samples were screened for IgM antibodies against
Results:
Among 350 AFI cases, 31 (8.85%) were ELISA-positive, of which 25 (80.64%) were confirmed by PCR. The majority of positive cases occurred in the 31–40-year age group, with a slight male predominance (51.61%) and higher positivity among individuals from rural areas (10.84%). Fever was present in all cases (100%), followed by headache (92%), myalgia (55%), jaundice (52%), and lymphadenopathy (52%). The laboratory findings commonly included thrombocytopenia (83.87%) along with elevated hepatic and renal parameters. Disease incidence showed marked seasonal variation, with most cases occurring during monsoon and postmonsoon periods and peak observed in October.
Conclusion:
Scrub typhus is a significant but often underdiagnosed cause of AFI in Western Uttar Pradesh. Strengthening clinical suspicion, ensuring early diagnosis, and initiating timely treatment are key to reducing complications and improving outcomes.