Clinical and Laboratory Profile of Admitted Patients Presenting With Febrile Illness Due to Dengue and Scrub Typhus Coinfection From a Tertiary Care Hospital in South Rajasthan, India

Abstract

Objective: The present study aims at describing the clinical features, laboratory diagnosis, and complications in patients presenting with febrile illness due to scrub typhus and dengue coinfection from Southern Rajasthan, India. Method: This present prospective, observational, and hospital-based study conducted in the Department of Microbiology of AIMS & RC, Rajsamand, located in Southern Rajasthan, from January 2021 to December 2021. Scrub typhus was diagnosed in the microbiology laboratory by performing SD Bioline, one-step scrub typhus for the detection of IgM antibody, and dengue fever using J.mitra and Co. Pvt. Ltd., rapid card test for the detection of NS1 antigen and IgM antibody. Result: Out of 500 patients suspected of AUFI, 25 (5%) patients diagnosed of having dengue and scrub typhus coinfection. Fever was present in all 25 (100%) patients and 13 (52%) of patients had arthralgia, nausea, and vomiting. The most common sign noticed in our study was pallor and icterus in 10 (40%) patients each followed by shock/hypotension in 8 (32%) and hepatosplenomegaly in 5 (20%). The most predominant laboratory finding was thrombocytopenia (<1.0 × 106/cumm) in 23 (92%) patients, while elevated bilirubin (>2 mg/dl) in 22 (88%) and elevated transaminase and prolonged aPTT in 21 (84%) patients each. The majority of patients 23 (92%) had hepatic dysfunction, i.e., in followed by multi-organ dysfunction (MODS) in 15 (60%). Conclusion: In developing countries like India, particularly in tropical areas, dengue, and scrub typhus coinfection is under-recognized entity. Additional investigation should be carried out in cases of AUFI patients with features such as hypotension, leukocytosis, early drop in platelet counts, and hypoalbuminemia.