Co-infection of scrub typhus and leptospirosis in patients with pyrexia of unknown origin in Longding district of Arunachal Pradesh in 2013.
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Date
2016-01
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Abstract
Background: Scrub typhus and leptospirosis are bacterial zoonotic disease causing high morbidity and mortality. The
seasonal outbreak of pyrexia is common in Arunachal Pradesh (AP); many times the disease remains undiagnosed.
Objective: An outbreak of pyrexia of unknown origin (PUO) occurred in Longding district of Arunachal Pradesh in
2013, with 108 deaths, which was investigated to elucidate the cause of illness. Methodology: Blood samples from the
affected region with acute pyrexia were collected, and screened for the malaria parasite, scrub typhus IgM and leptospira
IgM. Results: Scrub typhus IgM was reactive in 97% (30/31), and 25% (8/31) cases were co-infected with leptospira.
Incidentally, scrub typhus reactive (67%) and leptospira co-infection (62.7%) were higher in females. Record of
previous 3 years (2011–2013) from Longding, Community Health Centre showed an increase in indoor pyrexia cases by
2-fold or more during October and November. Conclusion: The present study is the first report of co-infection of scrub
typhus with leptospirosis from Northeast India. Medical officers in this region should take scrub typhus and leptospirosis
in their differential diagnosis of patients with PUO for early diagnosis and effective treatment.
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Keywords
Arunachal Pradesh, co-infection, leptospirosis, pyrexia of unknown origin, scrub typhus
Citation
Borkakoty Biswajyoti, Jakharia Aniruddha, Biswas Dipankar, Mahanta Jagadish. Co-infection of scrub typhus and leptospirosis in patients with pyrexia of unknown origin in Longding district of Arunachal Pradesh in 2013. Indian Journal of Medical Microbiology. 2016 Jan-Mar; 34(1): 88-91.