Scrub Typhus: Surveillance,Clinical Profile and Diagnostic Issues in Shandong,China |
| |
| Authors: | Meng Zhang Zhong-Tang Zhao Xian-Jun Wang Zhong Li Lei Ding Shu-Jun Ding |
| |
| Affiliation: | Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, People''s Republic of China; Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Shandong Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jinan, Shandong Province, People''s Republic of China |
| |
| Abstract: | To elucidate the epidemic status, clinical profile, and current diagnostic issues of scrub typhus in Shandong Province, we analyzed the surveillance data of scrub typhus from 2006 to 2011 and conducted a hospital-based disease survey in 2010. Scrub typhus was clustered in mountainous and coastal areas in Shandong Province, with an epidemic period from September to November. The most common manifestations were fever (100%), eschar or skin ulcer (86.3%), fatigue (71.6%), anorexia (71.6%), and rash (68.6%). Predominant complications included bronchopneumonia, toxic hepatitis, and acute cholecystitis in 21.6%, 3.9%, and 2.9% of the cases, respectively. Severe complications including toxic myocarditis, heart failure, pneumonedema, pleural effusion, and emphysema were first reported in Shandong. Missed and delayed diagnosis of scrub typhus was common in local medical institutions. Alarm should be raised for changes of clinical features and current diagnostic issues of scrub typhus in newly developed endemic areas. |
| |
| Keywords: | |
|
|
