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Scrub Typhus: an Update*

  • Emerging Tropical Diseases (K Barr, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Scrub typhus has recently assumed public importance. This article expounds current understanding of the epidemiology, clinical features, diagnosis, treatment, and control.

Recent Findings

It is a zoonotic disease caused by several strains of the rickettsial bacterium Orientia tsutsugamushi and is spread by the bite of larvae of Leptotrombidium mites. Until recent times, the disease was confined to rural areas in the “tsutsugamushi triangle,” but now it is reported beyond it also. Pathogenesis involves endothelial injury with consequent vasculitis and systemic inflammatory response. It presents as fever with or without a wide range of complications. Multiorgan dysfunction carries high mortality. There are a number of accurate diagnostic modalities, and treatment of choice is doxycycline with several alternatives. There are concerns regarding emergence of drug resistance, and no vaccine is available.

Summary

Scrub typhus is resurging infection, and development of an effective control program and sensitization of medical community is the need of the hour.

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Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance

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  1. Department of General Medicine, Government Medical College and Hospital, Level 4 D Block, Sector 32, Chandigarh, Pin 160030, India

    Saurabh Gaba, Monica Gupta & Sarabmeet Singh Lehl

  2. Department of Pediatrics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India

    Ruchi Gaba

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All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation, data collection, and analysis were performed by Saurabh Gaba, Monica Gupta, Ruchi Gaba, and Sarabmeet Singh Lehl. The first draft of the manuscript was written by Saurabh Gaba, and all authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript. The idea for the article was conceived by Saurabh Gaba and Monica Gupta. Saurabh Gaba, Monica Gupta, and Ruchi Gaba performed the literature search and data analysis, and Saurabh Gaba, Monica Gupta, and Sarabmeet Singh Lehl drafted and critically revised the work.

As required all authors whose names appear on the submission have (1) made substantial contributions to the conception or design of the work; or the acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data; or the creation of new software used in the work; (2) drafted the work or revised it critically for important intellectual content; (3) approved the version to be published; and (4) agreed to be accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved.

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Gaba, S., Gupta, M., Gaba, R. et al. Scrub Typhus: an Update*. Curr Trop Med Rep 8, 133–140 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40475-021-00234-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40475-021-00234-5

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