Case Study of a 14-Year-Old Male Patient with Scrub Typhus Infection and Acute Meningitis

Scrub Typhus is a zoonotic disease that is accidentally transmitted to humans by the bite of larval trombiculid mite or chigger. It is an important cause of acute febrile illness in India and is responsible for high morbidity and mortality. In this study, we present a brief medical case report of a14-year-old male patient who was admitted to the emergency ward of R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital on early November last year. He was reported to be suffering from fever for 5 days along with convulsion and syncopal attack. He had hyponatremia, altered sensorium, neck rigidity and was diagnosed with acute meningitis. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) detected IgM antibodies to scrub typhus in the serum of the patient confirming infection with the bacterial disease. The patient recovered on treatment with antimicrobials, GI prophylaxis agents and antiepileptic drug. The current study highlights a case of acute meningitis in scrub typhus infection and its subsequent treatment. The study thus provides further information on the complications of scrub typhus infection.