High hospital incidence of Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia in young infants in the Lao PDR

Abstract

Background: Data on paediatric scrub typhus is uncommon in Sri Lanka and other countries. The objective of this study was to identify the clinical features of patients with scrub typhus at a Base Hospital in Sri Lanka.Methods: Serum samples of patients with possible scrub typhus presenting to Base Hospital, Dambadeniya from August 2009 to December 2010 were tested using an Indirect Fluorescent Antibody (IFA) test.Results: Sixty patients were recruited. Paired sera were available for 39 patients. Ages ranged from 1 to 11 years with 62% male and 38% female children. * Confirmed cases -Patients with four fold rise in antibody titre. ** Possible scrub typhus -Patients with a titre of 1/1024 in both acute and convalescent samples, two fold rise or seroconversion in antibody titre, or with single serum sample with a titre of ≥ 1/128 in IgM or IgG. *** Possible seronegative -single sample titre <1/128 1gM or IgG. Conclusion:This is the first time that a paediatric study on scrub typhus causing fever in children in Sri Lanka was conducted. Clinical symptoms were varied and the value of laboratory confirmation in diagnosing Scrub Typhus is extremely important. The emergence of scrub typhus in the North Western Province of Sri Lanka is important for both local clinicians and in international travel medicine.