ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the distribution and clinical profile of scrub typhus infection among children with acute febrile illness in Odisha. METHODS: Children (<15 y) presenting with acute fever (>5 days) in 4 agro-climatic zones from June to November 2017 were evaluated. Patients were screened for malaria, leptospira, dengue, typhoid and scrub typhus. Scrub typhus was confirmed by IgM ELISA and PCR. RESULTS: Out of 413 cases examined, 48.7% were positive for scrub typhus, and 5.5% of them developed systemic complications. Eschar was found in 17.9% of cases. Five days treatment of Doxycycline and/or Azithromycin was clinically effective against scrub typhus. CONCLUSIONS: Our study highlights that scrub typhus is one of the causes of high morbidity in children during rainy months in Odisha.
