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Case Reports
. 2016 Dec 7;95(6):1284-1286.
doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.16-0089. Epub 2016 Oct 3.

Spontaneous Splenic Rupture Caused by Scrub Typhus

Wilawan Thipmontree  1 , Kittipong Suwattanabunpot  2 , Yupin Supputtamonkol  3
Affiliations
Case Reports

Spontaneous Splenic Rupture Caused by Scrub Typhus

Wilawan Thipmontree et al. Am J Trop Med Hyg. .

Abstract

Spontaneous rupture of the spleen is rarely described as a complication of scrub typhus infection. We report a previously healthy 74-year-old Thai female farmer who presented in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, with a history of fever and malaise for 5 days, followed by abdominal pain for 1 day. An exploratory laparotomy was performed due to peritonitis. Operative findings revealed a ruptured spleen and hemoperitoneum. A splenectomy was performed afterward. Scrub typhus was confirmed by a 4-fold increase of IgM titer using an indirect immunofluorescence antibody assay and a positive result from the polymerase chain reaction targeting the 47- and 56-kDa genes in Orientia tsutsugamushi She responded well to intravenous chloramphenicol and defervesced within 24 hours without any complication.

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