BackgroundScrub typhus is prevalent in India although definite statistics are not available. There has been only one study on scrub typhus meningitis 20 years ago. Most reports of meningitis/meningoencephalitis in scrub typhus are case reportsMethodsA retrospective study done in Pondicherry to extract cases of scrub typhus admitted to hospital between February 2011 and January 2012. Diagnosis was by a combination of any one of the following in a patient with an acute febrile illness- a positive scrub IgM ELISA, Weil-Felix test, and an eschar. Lumbar puncture was performed in patients with headache, nuchal rigidity, altered sensorium or cranial nerve deficits.ResultsSixty five cases of scrub typhus were found, and 17 (17/65) had meningitis. There were 33 males and 32 females. Thirteen had an eschar. Median cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cell count, lymphocyte percentage, CSF protein, CSF glucose/blood glucose, CSF ADA were 54 cells/µL, 98%, 88 mg/dL, 0.622 and 3.5 U/mL respectively. Computed tomography was normal in patients with altered sensorium and cranial nerve deficits. Patients with meningitis had lesser respiratory symptoms and signs and higher urea levels. All patients had received doxycycline except one who additionally received chloramphenicol.ConclusionMeningitis in scrub typhus is mild with quick and complete recovery. Clinical features and CSF findings can mimic tuberculous meningitis, except for ADA levels. In the Indian context where both scrub typhus and tuberculosis are endemic, ADA and scrub IgM may be helpful in identifying patients with scrub meningitis and in avoiding prolonged empirical antituberculous therapy in cases of lymphocytic meningitis.

We report a 40 year old woman admitted with an acute abdomen. Investigations revealed pancreatitis, bilateral pleural effusion, renal failure, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and scrub IgM ELISA and dengue NS1 positivity. She improved with azithromycin and appropriate pain and fluid management. She also developed central venous catheter-related MRSA sepsis that was managed in the hospital.

Pulmonary edema can be due to neurogenic, cardiogenic, postobstructive causes or an interplay of the three. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy/myocardial stunning related pulmonary edema seems more common than the others. Pulmonary edema occurred irrespective of level of consciousness or electrocardiographic changes and was not associated with mortality. Victims of near hanging with pulmonary edema can be effectively treated with supportive therapy.

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