Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://repository.kln.ac.lk/handle/123456789/10244
Title: Scrub typhus mimicking Parkinson's disease
Authors: Premaratna, R.
Wijayalath, S.H.N.C.
Miththinda, J.K.N.D.
Bandara, N.K.B.K.R.G.W.
de Silva, H.J.
Keywords: Scrub typhus
Issue Date: 2015
Publisher: Biomed Central
Citation: BMC Research Notes.2015;8:438
Abstract: Background Scrub typhus is a re-emerging infection in Sri Lanka. It often poses a diagnostic challenge and tends to present as a febrile illness of uncertain origin. Undiagnosed illness may progress to serious multi-systemic complications. Here we report a case of scrub typhus presenting with features of Parkinsonism. Case presentation A 62-year-old previously healthy Sri Lankan native male from the Western province of Sri Lanka presented with high fever with malaise, myalgia and arthralgia for 17 days. On the 5th day of illness he developed intermittent resting tremor in his right arm and leg associated with stiffness, difficulty in carrying out normal work and difficulty in smiling. He denied similar previous episodes. There were no other associated neurological manifestations. Clinical examination revealed a high amplitude low frequency resting tremor in his right hand, a mask-like face and increased muscle tone limited to the right side with normal reflexes. The rest of the system examination was normal except for an eschar over the abdomen. His investigations revealed lymphocytic leukocytosis, high erythrocyte sedimentation rate and immunofluorescence assay-IgM and IgG against Orientia tsutsugamushi Karp antigen were positive with rising titers. With oral doxycycline and azithromycin his fever settled within 48 h and a complete recovery of Parkinson’s features was observed within 2 weeks. Conclusion Doctors practicing in endemic regions should be familiar with delayed clinical manifestations of scrub typhus and should carefully look for an eschar in order to avoid delay in the diagnosis.
Description: Indexed in MEDLINE, Zoological Record
URI: http://repository.kln.ac.lk/handle/123456789/10244
ISSN: 1756-0500 (Electronic)
Appears in Collections:Journal/Magazine Articles

Files in This Item:
File Description SizeFormat 
BMC res.pdf1.12 MBAdobe PDFView/Open


Items in DSpace are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.