Study Status: Recruiting
Recruit Status: Recruiting
Study Type: Observational
Official Title: Rickettsial Disease in Febrile Hospitalised Patients in a Tertiary Referral Hospital in Bangladesh
Brief Summary:
Background:
The clinical features and prevalence of tropical rickettsial illnesses such as murine and scrub typhus in Bangladesh are unknown. Following testing for malaria, patients with undifferentiated fever are frequently treated empirically for typhoid or diagnosed clinically with a viral fever. Since murine and scrub typhus are common causes of fever in other countries in the region, it is likely they are prevalent in Bangladesh. Murine and scrub typhus may be treated cheaply and effectively with doxycycline.
Primary aim:
- Describe the clinical features of scrub and murine typhus in Bangladeshi patients
Secondary aims:
Methods:
Scrub typhus and murine typhus rapid tests will be introduced to CMCH in conjunction with existing malaria testing facilities. Consenting febrile adult patients who have had malaria and typhus rapid tests and meeting the entry criteria will be enrolled. Samples will be saved for serology and real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing for O. tsutsugamushi and Rickettsia spp. A thorough history and examination will be undertaken. Hemodynamic status will be assessed by ultrasound upon enrolment. Patients will be followed up for outcome and a second sample will be taken for convalescent serological testing on