Scrub typhus in two COVID-19 patients: a diagnostic dilemma.

ABSTRACT

The authors describe a case series of co-infection with COVID-19 and scrub typhus in two Indian patients. Clinical features like fever, cough, dyspnea and altered sensorium were common in both patients. Case 1 had lymphopenia, elevated IL-6 and history of hypertension, while case 2 had leukocytosis and an increased liver enzymes. Both patients had hypoalbuminemia and required admission to the intensive care unit; one of them succumbed to acute respiratory distress syndrome further complicated by multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. Seasonal tropical infections in COVID-19 patients in endemic settings may lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Therefore, high clinical suspicion and an early diagnosis for co-infections among COVID-19 patients are essential for better patient management.