The diagnosis and treatment of scrub typhus should be emphasized in non-endemic areas: A retrospective case series study

Abstract

The morbidity of tsutsugamushi is increasing and is no longer limited to endemic areas. Delayed diagnosis and inappropriate treatment can cause severe complications and increase mortality rates. We conducted a retrospective case series of patients with scrub typhus at our institution to report our experience and discuss the diagnostic modalities. We encountered 21 cases of scrub typhus at our institution between 2014 and 2022. The average age of the patients was 52 years (range: 22–63 years), 11 (52%) were farmers, and 11 (52%) had clear outdoor activities. Twenty (95%) patients had an ineffective history of general antibiotic treatment. The classic presentation was repeated fever in 95% of patients. Seventeen patients (81%) had eschar mainly on the groin (35%) and armpit (35%). Common laboratory findings included eosinophilia (95%), elevated alanine aminotransferase (95%), elevated aspartate aminotransferase (86%), thrombocytopenia (76%), lower hemoglobin (71%), and neutrophilia (38%). Six (29%) patients received the treatment of tigecycline, 4 (19%) patients received the treatment of doxycycline, and 11 (52%) patients received the treatment of minocycline. After 3 days of specific treatment, the eosinophilic levels showed a recovery trend. Twenty (95%) patients fully recovered, and 1 (5%) died. Careful physical examination and medical history are important for the early diagnosis of scrub typhus; clinicians in non-endemic areas need to strengthen their understanding of scrub typhus.