A Bacterial Profile of Scrub typhus Infections in North Karnataka and their Isolation by Serological and Molecular Method

Abstract

Scrub typhus infections are caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi and similar to febrile infections which makes more difficult in diagnosis. Present study revealed the incidence of scrub typhus infections. A total 521 samples which are Weil-Felix positive were selected in the present study and analysed by PCR over a period of one year in Khaja Banda Nawaz Institute of Medical Sciences, Gulbarga. The incidence rate was 29.36 % (153/521) of cases were positive and 39.06 % (84/215) of cases were males and 22.54 % (69/306) of cases were females. More than 30 years of age group population had highest incidence rate. Species specific gene 56 kDa was selected for the confirmation of scrub typhus. Multiple clinical features was observed along with rash and eschar. Early diagnosis help to reduce the morbidity and mortality.

Keywords

• scrub typhus
• eschar
• weil- felix test
• rt-pcr