SEROPREVALENCE OF SCRUB TYPHUS AND LEPTOSPIROSIS IN PATIENTS WITH ACUTE FEBRILE ILLNESS IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL, VIJAYAWADA, A.P

Abstract

Two significant causes of acute febrile illness are Scrub typhus and Leptospirosis, these zoonotic illnesses are primarily transmitted by rodents. Both illnesses present with similar and non-specific clinical symptoms, have a similar seasonal trend and can be identified by IgM ELISA. This study aims at identifying the presence of antibodies to scrub typhus and leptospirosis and their co-infection in patients of all age groups by IgM ELISA. Data was collected retrospectively over a period of four years, from January 2019 to September 2023 and analysis was done. A total number of 320 samples were received at the laboratory during the study period and IgM ELISA was performed for both scrub typhus and leptospirosis for all the samples received.Of the 320 samples tested, IgM ELISA for Scrub typhus was positive in 72(22.5%), Leptospirosis in 23(7.18%) and 6(1.87%) for both Scrub typhus and Leptospirosis were seen. Seroprevalence of Scrub typhus was more in Male population whereas Female predominance was observed in Leptospirosis. Age group in our study ranged from 0-60 years and most of the infected individuals are from Rural areas.As both leptospirosis and scrub typhus present with similar clinical features, co-infection of these two diseases may occur and require early diagnosis which helps the physician in treating the cases. IgM is a cost effective method of diagnosis of these zoonotic infections and plays a major role in early diagnosis therby reducing the morbidity and mortality in health care settings.