IJSR International Journal of Scientific Research 2277 - 8179 Indian Society for Health and Advanced Research ijsr-8-4-18928 Original Research Paper Scrub typhus meningitis and meningo–encephalitis, a diagnostic challenge for clinicians: A Prospective hospital based study from Southern Rajasthan Surendra Kumar Gurjar Dr. Dr Baldev Meena Dr. April 2019 8 4 01 02 ABSTRACT

Introduction:Scrub typhus is an acute Zoonotic illness caused by Orientia (Rickettsia) tsutsugamushi, transmitted by Mite characterized by fever with headache, lymphadenopathy, eschar, multi–organ involvement. Aims & objectives: To study the clinical features, laboratory parameters and response to treatment of scrub typhus meningitis/meningoencephalitis Methodology: A hospital based prospective observational study undertaken in Department of Medicine, RNT Medical College and MB Hospital, Udaipur on 50 clinically & lab diagnosed Scrub typhus positive patients from period June– September 2018 Results: Study shows 54% were males, 98% residing in rural area,94% having cattle in home ,36% belonging to 31–40 years ,78% with no eschar and with fever in all(100%) and mean GCS score being 11.96 ± 1.46 Conclusion: Majority presented as acute febrile illness with altered sensorium and meningeal sign. Eschar remains absent in majority. Thus a high degree of clinical suspicion and a positive rapid, diagnostic test remains an important point in management of scrub typhus