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Imad HA, Ali AA, Nahuza M, Gurung R, Ubaid A, Maeesha A, Didi SA, Dey RK, Hilmy AI, Hareera A, Afzal I, Matsee W, Nguitragool W, Nakayama EE, Shioda T. Acalculous Cholecystitis in a Young Adult with Scrub Typhus: A Case Report and Epidemiology of Scrub Typhus in the Maldives. Trop Med Infect Dis 2021; 6:tropicalmed6040208. [PMID: 34941664 PMCID: PMC8707333 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed6040208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Revised: 12/05/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Scrub typhus is a neglected tropical disease predominantly occurring in Asia. The causative agent is a bacterium transmitted by the larval stage of mites found in rural vegetation in endemic regions. Cases of scrub typhus frequently present as acute undifferentiated febrile illness, and without early diagnosis and treatment, the disease can develop fatal complications. We retrospectively reviewed de-identified data from a 23-year-old woman who presented to an emergency department with complaints of worsening abdominal pain. On presentation, she appeared jaundiced and toxic-looking. Other positive findings on abdominal examination were a positive Murphey’s sign, abdominal guarding and hepatosplenomegaly. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography demonstrated acalculous cholecystitis. Additional findings included eschar on the medial aspect of the left thigh with inguinal regional lymphadenopathy. Further, positive results were obtained for immunoglobulins M and G, confirming scrub typhus. The workup for other infectious causes of acute acalculous cholecystitis (AAC) detected antibodies against human herpesvirus 4 (Epstein–Barr virus), suggesting an alternative cause of AAC. Whether that represented re-activation of the Epstein–Barr virus could not be determined. As other reports have described acute acalculous cholecystitis in adult scrub typhus patients, we recommend doxycycline to treat acute acalculous cholecystitis in endemic regions while awaiting serological confirmation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hisham Ahmed Imad
- Mahidol Vivax Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand;
- Department of Viral Infections, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan; (E.E.N.); (T.S.)
- Correspondence: or ; Tel.: +66-631501402
| | - Aishath Azna Ali
- Department of Surgery, Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital, Malé 20002, Maldives; (A.A.A.); (M.N.); (R.G.); (A.U.)
| | - Mariyam Nahuza
- Department of Surgery, Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital, Malé 20002, Maldives; (A.A.A.); (M.N.); (R.G.); (A.U.)
| | - Rajan Gurung
- Department of Surgery, Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital, Malé 20002, Maldives; (A.A.A.); (M.N.); (R.G.); (A.U.)
| | - Abdulla Ubaid
- Department of Surgery, Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital, Malé 20002, Maldives; (A.A.A.); (M.N.); (R.G.); (A.U.)
| | - Aishath Maeesha
- Department of Medicine, Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital, Malé 20002, Maldives; (A.M.); (S.A.D.); (R.K.D.); (A.I.H.)
| | - Sariu Ali Didi
- Department of Medicine, Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital, Malé 20002, Maldives; (A.M.); (S.A.D.); (R.K.D.); (A.I.H.)
| | - Rajib Kumar Dey
- Department of Medicine, Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital, Malé 20002, Maldives; (A.M.); (S.A.D.); (R.K.D.); (A.I.H.)
| | - Abdullah Isneen Hilmy
- Department of Medicine, Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital, Malé 20002, Maldives; (A.M.); (S.A.D.); (R.K.D.); (A.I.H.)
- Gastrointestinal Unit, Department of Medicine, Groote Schuur Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7935, South Africa
| | - Aishath Hareera
- Health Protection Agency, Ministry of Public Health, Malé 20002, Maldives; (A.H.); (I.A.)
| | - Ibrahim Afzal
- Health Protection Agency, Ministry of Public Health, Malé 20002, Maldives; (A.H.); (I.A.)
| | - Wasin Matsee
- Department of Clinical Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand;
| | - Wang Nguitragool
- Mahidol Vivax Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand;
- Department of Molecular Tropical Medicine and Genetics, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Emi. E. Nakayama
- Department of Viral Infections, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan; (E.E.N.); (T.S.)
| | - Tatsuo Shioda
- Department of Viral Infections, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan; (E.E.N.); (T.S.)
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Park JH, Gill B, Acharya D, Yoo SJ, Lee K, Lee J. Seroprevalence and Factors Associated with Scrub Typhus Infection among Forestry Workers in National Park Offices in South Korea. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18063131. [PMID: 33803616 PMCID: PMC8003109 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18063131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Scrub typhus is caused by the arthropod-borne bacterium Orientia tsutsugamushi and is an endemic infectious disease in the Asia-Pacific area. This study aimed to investigate the seroprevalence of scrub typhus and identify associated risk and protective factors among forestry workers, a neglected risk group for scrub typhus, in National Park Offices in South Korea. A nationwide cross-sectional serosurvey was carried out on 1945 National Park Office forestry workers (NPOFWs) in South Korea during December 2016. We visited 29 main offices and used a structured questionnaire to collect data regarding general characteristics, work activities, work hygiene-related factors, and other potential risk factors. Serum samples from NPOFWs were tested using indirect immunofluorescence assay to detect O. tsutsugamushi immunoglobulin (Ig) G and M antibodies. Of the 1945 NPOFWs, 718 (36.9%) participated in this cross-sectional study. The seroprevalence, defined as ≥1:256 for IgG and/or ≥1:16 for IgM, was 4.9% (35/718). In multivariate logistic analysis, longer duration of work in national parks (≥15 years; odds ratio (OR), 4.19; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.71-10.28) and dry field farming (OR, 2.47; 95% CI, 1.12-5.46) were significantly associated with a higher risk of scrub typhus infection. Furthermore, the risk of scrub typhus infection was significantly lower among NPOFWs who washed working clothes daily (OR, 0.37; 95% CI, 0.18-0.75). This study indicated that scrub typhus is an important disease among NPOFWs in South Korea. Work hygiene, especially washing working clothes daily, needs to be emphasized among NPOFWs. Additionally, more precautions are required to diminish the rate of scrub typhus infection among NPOFWs who perform dry field farming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji-Hyuk Park
- Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Dongguk University, Gyeongju 38066, Korea; (D.A.); (S.-J.Y.); (K.L.)
- Correspondence: (J.-H.P.); (J.L.); Tel.: +82-54-703-7802 (J.-H.P.); +82-44-202-2865 (J.L.)
| | - Byoungchul Gill
- Division of Bacterial Diseases, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Cheongju 28159, Korea;
| | - Dilaram Acharya
- Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Dongguk University, Gyeongju 38066, Korea; (D.A.); (S.-J.Y.); (K.L.)
| | - Seok-Ju Yoo
- Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Dongguk University, Gyeongju 38066, Korea; (D.A.); (S.-J.Y.); (K.L.)
| | - Kwan Lee
- Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Dongguk University, Gyeongju 38066, Korea; (D.A.); (S.-J.Y.); (K.L.)
| | - Jeongmin Lee
- Division of Bacterial Diseases, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Cheongju 28159, Korea;
- Division of Healthcare Technology Development, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Sejong 30113, Korea
- Correspondence: (J.-H.P.); (J.L.); Tel.: +82-54-703-7802 (J.-H.P.); +82-44-202-2865 (J.L.)
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Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis Associated with Scrub Typhus: Systematic Review and Comparison between Pediatric and Adult Cases. Trop Med Infect Dis 2018; 3:tropicalmed3010019. [PMID: 30274417 PMCID: PMC6136620 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed3010019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2017] [Revised: 01/31/2018] [Accepted: 02/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Scrub typhus is a mite-borne bacterial infection caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi. Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a potential severe complication. Most reported cases of HLH associated with scrub typhus were single cases or case series with a small sample sizes. Thus, no clear consensus exists on clinical manifestations and differences between pediatric and adult cases of this condition. Methods: a systematic search of English and Japanese articles from PubMed, PubMed Central, and Directory of Open Access Journals databases was performed from 3 December 2016 to 28 December 2017. The primary outcome was mortality in patients with HLH associated with scrub typhus; secondary outcomes were differences in clinical symptoms, laboratory findings, and treatment between pediatric and adult patients with HLH associated with scrub typhus. Results: thirty cases of HLH associated with scrub typhus were identified (age range: 2 months to 75 years; median age: 21.5 years, male:female ratio, 1:1). Eschar was frequently observed in the pediatric group (p = 0.017), whereas acute kidney injury was more prevalent in the adult group (p = 0.010). Two patients died of intracranial hemorrhage complicated with multiple organ failure; overall mortality rate was 6.7%. Conclusions: HLH associated with scrub typhus could be cured with remarkable improvement using single antibiotic therapy in approximately half the cases, with the mortality rate being relatively lower than that of HLH associated with other secondary causes.
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Abstract
Respiratory failure is a serious complication of scrub typhus. In this prospective study, all patients with a diagnosis of scrub typhus were included from a single center Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Demographic, clinical characteristics, laboratory, and imaging parameters of these patients at the time of ICU admission were compared. Of the 55 scrub typhus patients, 27 (49%) had an acute respiratory failure. Seventeen patients had acute respiratory distress syndrome, and ten had cardiogenic pulmonary edema. Respiratory supported patients were older had significant chronic lungs disease and high severity illness scores (Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation-II and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score). At ICU admission, these patients presented with more deranged laboratory markers, including high bilirubin, high creatine kinase, high lactate, metabolic acidosis, low serum albumin, and presence of ascites. The average ICU and hospital stay were 4.27 ± 2.74 and 6.53 ± 3.52 days, respectively, in the respiratory supported group. Three patients died in respiratory failure group, while only one patient died in nonrespiratory failure group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jyoti Narayan Sahoo
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Apollo Hospital, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | - Mohan Gurjar
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Yogesh Harde
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Yashoda Hospital, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
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Abstract
The obligate intracellular bacterium Orientia tsutsugamushi is responsible for more than one million cases of scrub typhus annually throughout the Asia-Pacific region. Human infection occurs via the bite of the larval form (chigger) of several species of trombiculid mites. While in some patients the result of infection is a mild, febrile illness, others experience severe complications, which may even be fatal. This review discusses the genome and biology of the causative agent, the changing epidemiology of scrub typhus, the challenges of its diagnosis, and current treatment recommendations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunil Thomas
- Lankenau Institute for Medical Research, Wynnewood, Pennsylvania USA
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Park JH, Kim SJ, Youn SK, Park K, Gwack J. Epidemiology of scrub typhus and the eschars patterns in South Korea from 2008 to 2012. Jpn J Infect Dis 2015; 67:458-63. [PMID: 25410561 DOI: 10.7883/yoken.67.458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
In South Korea, scrub typhus is the most common acute febrile illness in autumn. We analyzed scrub typhus cases reported from 2008 to 2012 to describe the epidemiology of scrub typhus as well as eschar patterns. A total of 30,478 cases were reported from 2008 to 2012; the incidence rates were higher in the southern and western regions of South Korea. The common clinical symptoms of confirmed scrub typhus cases from 2010 to 2012 were fever/chills (95.2%), eschars (78.9%), and myalgia (61.7%). The primary sites of eschars were the lower extremities (19.0%), abdomen/waist (13.4%), and axilla (11.5%) in men and the shoulder/frontal chest (15.1%), lower extremities (14.5%), and abdomen/waist (13.6%) in women. Regardless of gender, eschars tended to be more on the lower extremities among the leisure activities group. Among the occupational farm work group, who usually lived in rural areas, eschars appeared most frequently on the abdomen/waist in men and on the shoulder/frontal chest in women. Eschar patterns were influenced by gender and activities. These results could facilitate the prevention of scrub typhus and clarify the current status of scrub typhus in South Korea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji-Hyuk Park
- Division of Epidemic Intelligence Service, Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Sriwongpan P, Patumanond J, Krittigamas P, Tantipong H, Tawichasri C, Namwongprom S. Validation of a clinical risk-scoring algorithm for severe scrub typhus. Risk Manag Healthc Policy 2014; 7:29-34. [PMID: 24600256 PMCID: PMC3933538 DOI: 10.2147/rmhp.s56974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of the study reported here was to validate the risk-scoring algorithm for prognostication of scrub typhus severity. METHODS The risk-scoring algorithm for prognostication of scrub typhus severity developed earlier from two general hospitals in Thailand was validated using an independent dataset of scrub typhus patients in one of the hospitals from a few years later. The predictive performances of the two datasets were compared by analysis of the area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AuROC). Classification of patients into non-severe, severe, and fatal cases was also compared. RESULTS The proportions of non-severe, severe, and fatal patients by operational definition were similar between the development and validation datasets. Patient, clinical, and laboratory profiles were also similar. Scores were similar in both datasets, both in terms of discriminating non-severe from severe and fatal patients (AuROC =88.74% versus 91.48%, P=0.324), and in discriminating fatal from severe and non-severe patients (AuROC =88.66% versus 91.22%, P=0.407). Over- and under-estimations were similar and were clinically acceptable. CONCLUSION The previously developed risk-scoring algorithm for prognostication of scrub typhus severity performed similarly with the validation data and the first dataset. The scoring algorithm may help in the prognostication of patients according to their severity in routine clinical practice. Clinicians may use this scoring system to help make decisions about more intensive investigations and appropriate treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pamornsri Sriwongpan
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai ; Department of Social Medicine, Chiangrai Prachanukroh Hospital, Chiang Rai
| | - Jayanton Patumanond
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Bangkok
| | | | | | | | - Sirianong Namwongprom
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai ; Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
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Li W, Dou X, Zhang L, Lyu Y, Du Z, Tian L, Zhang X, Sun Y, Guan Z, Chen L, Li X, Wang Q. Laboratory diagnosis and genotype identification of scrub typhus from Pinggu district, Beijing, 2008 and 2010. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2013; 89:123-9. [PMID: 23716411 PMCID: PMC3748468 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.12-0728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2012] [Accepted: 04/27/2013] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
This study was conducted to determine the diagnosis and genotype of Orientia tsutsugamushi in Pinggu district, Beijing. Indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) was performed to detect O. tsutsugamushi-specific immunoglobulin M (IgM) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies. Nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequencing analysis targeting the O. tsutsugamushi-specific groEL gene and 56 kDa protein gene were performed on whole-blood samples from scrub typhus patients. We confirmed that 47 patients were infected with scrub typhus in Pinggu district, Beijing. Representative sequences amplified by primers according to the groEL gene (BJ-PG-2008; GenBank accession No. JQ894502) and the 56 kDa protein gene (PG-56kDa; GenBank accession No. JX843795) both clustered with Kawasaki. PG-56kDa had sequence homology of 100% with TADY12-0308, shandong-XDM2, Neimeng-90, and sdu-1 and sequence homology of 96% with Kawasaki, Taguchi, Oishi, and Kanda. We confirmed the genotype of O. tsutsugamushi in Pinggu district, Beijing, as Kawasaki, and the patient in 2008 confirmed in this study was the first patient with confirmed scrub typhus in Beijing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weihong Li
- Beijing Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
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