Clinical Spectrum and Outcome of Acute Encephalitis Syndrome in Children with Scrub Typhus: A Series of Eight Cases from India

JOURNAL TITLE: Indian Journal of Critical Care Medicine

Author
1. Shivani Randev
2. Reena Jain
3. Parminder Kaur
4. Vishal Guglani
ISSN
0972-5229
DOI
10.5005/jp-journals-10071-23590
Volume
24
Issue
9
Publishing Year
2020
Pages
3
Author Affiliations
    1. Department of Gynaecologist, Bhatia Nursing Home, Amritsar, Punjab, India
    1. Department of Pediatrics, Government Medical College and Hospital, Chandigarh, India
    1. Department of Pediatrics, Government Medical College and Hospital, Chandigarh, India
    1. Department of Pediatrics, Government Medical College and Hospital, Chandigarh
  • Article keywords

    Abstract

    Scrub typhus has reemerged with a different geographical distribution and varied clinical presentation like acute encephalitis syndrome (AES), which is a less known entity in scrub typhus. In this case series, we studied the clinical profile and outcome of eight patients who presented with AES and a positive scrub serology without any other identifiable cause of encephalopathy. All these patients had fever, altered sensorium, and nuchal rigidity, while seizures were present in six (75%) patients and papilledema in two (25%) patients. Complications like shock, pulmonary edema, and gastrointestinal (GI) bleed were observed in three (37%) patients. All patients except for one responded well to the treatment and recovered completely. Scrub typhus should be suspected early in patients presenting with AES.

    © 2019 Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers (P) LTD.   |   All Rights Reserved