Scrub typhus & Dengue Co-infection among patients attending a tertiary care hospital at Puducherry

Abstract

Background: Scrub typhus & Dengue fever are being increasingly reported from tropical countries including India. Both of them are vector borne with a peak incidence during post monsoon period, although prevalent throughout the year. These infections have a common clinical presentation in the early stages most often except when characteristic ‘Eschar’ is seen or the patient presents with complications of dengue. Although these infections are common ‘Co-infection’ have been rarely reported. Materials and Methods: Patients attending Sri Manakula Vinayagar Medical College and Hospital, were serologically tested for dengue and scrub typhus as suggested by physicians. Results: A total of 15 cases of dual infection with scrub typhus and dengue is reported in this paper. Conclusion: A high index of clinical suspicion and failure of therapeutic response should alert the clinician to the possibility of dual infection which carries a high morbidity and mortality and investigation for the same. Key words: Dengue, Scrub typhus, Dual infection, Puducherry, India