A Rare Case of Pulmonary Thromboembolism and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) in Scrub Typhus

Chevuri Mounika; Gadiraju Durga Praneetha; Durga  Krishnan; Kaliyannan Mayilananthi; Vrinda Vijayakumari

Chevuri Mounika Postgraduate Resident, Department of General Medicine, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute, Chettinad Academy of Research and Education, Kelambakkam, Kancheepuram, Tamil Nadu, India.
Gadiraju Durga Praneetha Postgraduate Resident, Department of General Medicine, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute, Chettinad Academy of Research and Education, Kelambakkam, Kancheepuram, Tamil Nadu, India.
Durga Krishnan Professor, Department of General Medicine, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute, Chettinad Academy of Research and Education, Kelambakkam, Kancheepuram, Tamil Nadu, India.
Kaliyannan Mayilananthi Professor, Department of General Medicine, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute, Chettinad Academy of Research and Education, Kelambakkam, Kancheepuram, Tamil Nadu, India.
Vrinda Vijayakumari Assistant Professor, Department of General Medicine, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute, Chettinad Academy of Research and Education, Kelambakkam, Kancheepuram, Tamil Nadu, India.

Keywords: Scrub Typhus, Thrombocytopenia, ARDS, Pleural Effusion

Abstract

Orientia tsutsugamushi causes scrub typhus, a zoonotic illness (O tsutsugamushi). The disease is spread to humans through the biting of trombiculid mite larvae (chiggers). The case report adds light to thrombus formation in scrub typhus infection, an often-under-diagnosed entity. We report a 17-year-old female who presented with complaints of breathlessness after 11 days of symptoms of fever. The condition is widespread in India, with cases reported in a number of states. Persons are infected by the larval development (chigger) of trombiculid mites. Chiggers are spread by wild rats, and illness develops when chiggers feed on humans.
Laboratory investigations revealed leukocytosis, thrombocytopenia, and radiological investigations showed ARDS and pleural effusion, and the patient was diagnosed to have scrub typhus. Treatment was given for the infection and its complications.

How to cite this article:
Mounika C, Praneetha GD, Krishnan D, Maylinanthi K, Vijayakumari V. A Rare Case of Pulmonary Thromboembolism and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) in Scrub Typhus. J Commun Dis. 2022;54(1):36-40.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/0019.5138.202247

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