Evidence Hub

Dengue and Scrub Typhus Co-infection at a Tertiary Care Centre in Nepal: A Case Series in Pediatric Patients

S. K.C., Bulbul Pradhan, Inesh Khanal, Aakripa Rani Shrestha

JNMA; journal of the Nepal Medical Association, 2025

1 citation

Abstract

ABSTRACT This case series highlights four pediatric patients with coinfection of dengue fever and scrub typhus, presenting at Patan Hospital. Dengue fever is caused by flavivirus transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, and scrub typhus is caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi transmitted by Leptotrombidium mites, which share overlapping symptoms such as fever, headache, and abdominal pain, complicating the diagnosis. The cases were from different geographical regions of Nepal with varied presentation: from febrile illness to severe manifestations like meningoencephalitis and raised intracranial pressure. Two patients presented with hepatosplenomegaly, one with severe rash, and another with pneumonia-like symptoms. Laboratory findings confirmed coinfection, and management included IV antibiotics, antipyretics, and supportive management. Complications such as thrombocytopenia, transaminitis, and allergic reactions required interventions. This case series highlights the importance of early suspicion and treatment of coinfection to reduce prolonged hospitalization and prevent end-organ dysfunction, and mortality, especially in endemic regions.

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a case series, done in people. Its evidence level is 5 of 5 (Very low · case / narrative / animal / in vitro / in silico). Case reports, narrative reviews, and animal, cell or computer-model studies give the weakest evidence for human health.

How the five levels of evidence work. The level is assigned automatically from the abstract and can be wrong, so check the paper.

Read the paper

Related studies

Go deeper in Evidence Hub

Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.

Open this study Sign up free