A Clinical and Serologic Study of 21 Cases of Tsutsugamushi Disease Confirmed by Serologic test / 영남의대학술지

Tsutsugamushi disease is an acute febrile disease caused by Rickettsia tsutsugamushi, and which has been reported with increasing frequency thorough the nation since 1986. We experienced 21 cases of Tsutsugamushi Disease diagnosed with serologic test occurring in Taegu city and Kyungpook province during October-November, 1989. The results of survey are as follow. 1) Of 21 cases, 12 (57%) were males and 9 (43%) were females, and the peak incidence was the 4th decade. 2) The outbreak was in October to November and the peak incidence was in October. 3) The most frequent symptoms were fever and chill (100%), myalgia (95%), headache (90%), Eschar and rash were observed in 18 patients (86%) and the eschar was detected in all over the body, especially thorax (33%) and lower extremity (22%). 4) Laboratory features were SGOT elevation (83%), SGPT elevation (61%), LDH elevation (67%), leukocytosis (38%). 5) Indirect immunofluorescent antibody test was done in 18 patients and the antibody titer was above 1:320 in all patients. 6) The chloramphenicol, tetracycline or doxycycline regimens were very effective and mean duration of defervescence from initiation of therapy was 1.3 days. 7) The complication such as meningitis or shock, was not seen.

An Outbreak of Tsutsugamushi Disease in Vicinity of Taegu City and Kyungpook Province in 1988 / 영남의대학술지

Since the first cases of tsutsugamushi disease reported in Korea in 1986, many cases has been reported and its occurrence has been increasing. Only 2 cases has been reported in Taegu city and Kyungpook area. We experienced an outbreak of 26 cases of tsutsugamushi disease in this area and their clinical manifestations are; 1. The outbreak occurred in September to November in 1988 and its peak occurrence was in October. 2. Mean age was 52 years old (18 to 69 years old) and peak incidence was in the 6th decade. 3. Major symptoms and abnormal signs are fever/chills (88%), myalgia (65%), headache (54%), nausea and vomiting (31%), and abdominal pain (27%). The eschar was detected on lower part of body in most of cases, and more frequently in male (M:F 100 vs 58%). 4. Patients were treated with tetracyclines (TC) and/or chlorampenicol (CM) and mean duration of defervescence from initiation of antibiotic therapy was 2.1days with TC and 2.5 days with CM. 5. Complications are 2 cases of meningitis and 1 case of shock, and all cases were recovered without any sequelae. As above, tsutsugamushi disease occurs in Taegu city and Kyung Pook area as other part of Korea and clinical manifestations are similar to other reports.