Scrub typhus: combination therapy can save more lives

Source: The post is based on the article “Scrub typhus: combination therapy can save more lives” published in The Hindu on 6th March 2023.

What is the News?

A team of researchers from Christian Medical College in Vellore, Tamil Nadu, and PGIMER Chandigarh found that an antibiotic combo is best for severe scrub typhus.

What is Scrub Typhus?

Scrub Typhus, also known as bush typhus, is a disease caused by a bacteria called Orientia tsutsugamushi. 

Transmission: Scrub typhus is spread to people through bites of infected chiggers (larval mites). 

Symptoms: The most common symptoms of scrub typhus include fever, headache, body aches, and sometimes rash.

Cases of Scrub typhus: It is a major public health threat in South and Southeast Asia. As per estimates, nearly one million cases are reported from South and Southeast Asia with 10% mortality. India is one of the hotspots with at least 25% of the disease burden.

Treatment: Scrub typhus should be treated with antibiotics. No vaccine is available to prevent scrub typhus.

What did the researchers find about the treatment against Scrub Typhus?

Researchers found that a combination of antibiotic treatment (with intravenous doxycycline and azithromycin) is more effective for treating Severe Scrub Typhus than single-drug therapies.