Clinical study of 20 children with scrub typhus at Chiang Rai Regional Hospital

Abstract

20 children, diagnosed with scrub typhus who attended Chiang Rai Regional Hospital during a period of 6 months from June 2003 to December 2003, were studied prospectively. All cases were serologically proved to be scrub typhus by using Dipstick or indirect immunofluorescent antibody (IFA) technique. The most common clinical feature was eschar (75%). Others included hepatomegaly (65%), cough (60%), lymphadenopathy (40%), tachypnea (35%), constipation (25%), abdominal pain (20%), edema (20%), splenomegaly (15%), vomiting (15%), rash (15%) and petichia (5%) respectively. Chest radiography showed abnormalities in 85% with mostly bilateral interstitial infiltrations. Elevated of SGOT: SGPT were detected in 18 (90%) and 15 (75%) cases. Hypoalbuminemia was detected in 12 (60%) cases. Complete blood count showed PMN leukocytosis (> 60%) in 12 (60%) cases, lymphocytosis (> 40%) and atypical lymphocytosis (> 5%) in 1 (5%) case each and thrombocytopenia in 16 (80%) cases. The Weil-Felix test was positive in 1 (5%) case. Complications were pneumonia with or without pulmonary edema, meningitis and shock. Chloramphenicol and doxycycline were successfully treated and roxithromycin was not effective.