Spectrum of Infections in Acute Febrile Illness in Central India

Abstract

Introduction: Infectious agent when enters in the host results in febrile illness. This may lead to increase in morbidity or even mortality in undiagnosed/untreated cases. There are many aetiological agents which lead to acute febrile illness. Among these aetiological agents, important is bacterial or viral aetiology. Objective: The objective of this study is: (i) To know the aetiological agents responsible for acute undifferentiated febrile illness (AUFI) by serological test or by bacterial culture and (ii) To know the clinical profile of AUFI. Methodology: A total of 270 patients were enroled in the study with a history of AUFI admitted in medicine and paediatric department from January 2015 to November 2016 of tertiary care hospital of central India. Blood sample was collected for blood culture, clot culture and serological tests for immunochromatographic tests (ICTs) and ICT-positive results were confirmed by respective enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). All negative serum samples by immunochromatography were retested for disease-specific ELISA as scrub typhus, dengue and leptospirosis. Results: Out of 270 patients, 127 (47%) were of scrub typhus, 33 (12%) were malaria cases, 47 (17.40%) were dengue, 12 (4%) were enteric fever, 5 (2%) were leptospirosis, undiagnosed were 18 (6.66%) and other infections (viz viral, urinary tract infection, upper and lower respiratory tract infection and acute gastroenteritis) accounts for 28 (10.37%) cases. We have also noticed that there was co-infection of scrub typhus and dengue, leptospirosis and scrub typhus. Conclusion: It is important to know the cause and clinical profile of AUFIs for their proper management also it will help to prevent morbidity and mortality in AUFI cases.