Zoonotic and vector borne agents causing disease in adult patients hospitalized due to fever of unknown origin in Thailand

Journal Title: Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Disease - Year 2017, Vol 7, Issue 10

Abstract

Objective: To determine the etiologic agents of fever of unknown origin among populations in agricultural communities and to assess the possible risk factors for zoonotic infections. Methods: Hospitalized patients with fever of unknown origin under physician care were asked to participate and provide blood samples for laboratory tests and screening for endemic diseases at the hospitals. Samples were stored at –80 °C until they were tested at Chulalongkorn University to identify additional pathogens. Results: We were able to identify the etiologic agents in 24.6% of the 463 enrolled patients. Zoonotic and vector borne agents were confirmed in 59 cases (12.7%). Dengue virus (7.3%) was the most frequently detected disease followed by scrub typhus (3.2%). There were two cases of comorbidities of scrub typhus and dengue fever. The other six cases of zoonoses were leptospirosis, melioidosis, and Streptococcus suis infections. Patients with zoonotic/vector borne agents noticed rats in their houses and reported having contact with livestock feces more frequently than those patients without zoonotic/vector borne agents. Conclusions: Dengue virus and scrub typhus were mostly detected in the rainy season. During this specific season, clinicians should raise awareness of those diseases when any patients are admitted to the hospital with fever of an unidentified source.

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  • EP ID EP224169
  • DOI 10.12980/apjtd.7.2017D7-104
  • Views 107
  • Downloads 0

How To Cite

(2017). Zoonotic and vector borne agents causing disease in adult patients hospitalized due to fever of unknown origin in Thailand. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Disease, 7(10), 577-581. https://europub.co.uk/articles/-A-224169