Background
Scrub typhus is an acute disease, characterized by symptoms of fever, which occurs due to infection by Orientia tsutsugamushi. In most cases, patients recover from the disease with appropriate treatment, but serious and fatal complications may occur. The present study examined laboratory findings and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) levels of scrub typhus patients to identify the prognostic predictors of disease severity. Method: Patients whose scrub typhus diagnosis was confirmed by elevated indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) levels and positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
Conclusion
An elevated serum TNF-α level in patients with scrub typhus could predict a severe condition or death and may be useful in predicting patient prognosis.