Severity Predictors in Eschar-Positive Scrub Typhus and Role of Serum Osteopontin.

Severity Predictors in Eschar-Positive Scrub Typhus and Role of Serum Osteopontin.

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2011 Nov;85(5):924-930

Authors: Park SW, Lee CS, Lee CK, Kwak YG, Moon C, Kim BN, Kim ES, Kang JM, Oh MD

Abstract
Abstract. We prospectively evaluated severity predictors in terms of host, microorganism, and treatment factors in 153 eschar-positive scrub typhus patients. Severity was assessed with the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score (< 10 versus ? 10) and predefined criteria of severe complications. Genotypes of Orientia tsutsugamushi were determined. Independent risk factors for severity (APACHE II score ? 10) were old age, diabetes mellitus, serum osteopontin > 100 ng/mL, and a group of underlying diseases (congestive heart failure, cerebrovascular disease, chronic liver disease, bronchial asthma, and chronic obstructive lung diseases). Anemia (? 10 g/dL) and C-reactive protein > 10 mg/dL were indicators of current severity. Neither the delay in antibiotics administration nor strain types (Boryong, Taguchi, or Kanda/Kawasaki) contributed to the severity. The risk factors for severe complications were similar. Serum osteopontin > 100 ng/mL had a negative predictive value of 96% for severe complications. This marker can be used to rule out severe disease status.

PMID: 22049051 [PubMed – as supplied by publisher]

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