Analysis of the clinical data from 56 misdiagnosis patients with Tsutsugamushi

Abstract

Objective To improve the understanding of the epidemiology, clinical features, diagnosis and treatment of Tsutsugamushi disease, and reduce the misdiagnosis rate. Methods The clinical data of 56 cases of Tsutsugamushi disease misdiagnosed were analyzed retrospectively. Results 28 cases were misdiagnosed as acute upper respiratory tract infection(50.0%),3 cases were malaria(5.4%),1 case was cholecystitis(1.8%),24 cases were infectious fever(42.8%).The average misdiagnosed time:10.3days.55 patients were found Eschar or ulcer(98.2%),54 cases were found Eschar or ulcer on one part of body,1 case was found two eschars.54 cases had been effectively treated,50 cases were treated with chloramphenicol,4 cases with azithromycin.The average time of temperature that dropped to normal were respectively:1.3d,1d. Conclusion awareness of Tsutsugamushi disease should be raised,history seriously should be inquired and specific signs should be identified, which can degrade the misdiagnosis rate and reduce the mortality rate. Key words: Tsutsugamushi disease; Misdiagnosis