Clinical Manifestations and Complications of Scrub Typhus : A Hospital Based Study from North Eastern India.

OBJECTIVES: To study the different clinical manifestations and complications associated with scrub typhus. METHODS: A hospital based prospective observational study of patients of acute febrile illness above 18 years age. Diagnosis was based on clinical and serological data. RESULTS: A total of 61 patients were diagnosed with scrub typhus, with males more than females. Most (42.37%) belonged to 18 to 30 years age group. Fever with headache was the commonest presentation (94.91%). Multiorgan dysfunction syndrome was the most common complication (16.94%). The mortality rate was 8.47%. CONCLUSION: The study reveals the clinical manifestations and complications of a well known mite borne disease in the state of Meghalaya. The varied presentations and high mortality requires a high index of suspicion. The study highlights the clustering of cases during the months of September to November.