Scrub typhus is a bacterial zoonosis caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi. Timely diagnosis is necessary as the disease presents with varied signs, symptoms and may progresses to multiorgan dysfunction syndrome. Scrub typhus shows wide antigenic variation, one of the methods for its detection is IFA. There is scarcity of data regarding antigenic variations of Orientia tsutsugamushi which is of importance in our country. About 100 serum samples were collected from patients who had fever for > 7days (excluding other causes of fever). IFA detecting IgM antibodies to Orientia tsutsugamushi was done. Among 100 samples, 27 were positive by IFA. Common symptoms were abdominal pain (), vomiting (), myalgia (). O/E patients showed hepatomegaly (), lymphadenopathy (66. 6%), splenomegaly (51. 8%) and thrombocytopenia () and Anaemia in ( %) patients. Raised SGOT (81. 48%), SGPT () with varied LFT was observed. Common Antigenic type was Gilliam (37. 03%), Karp (). Diagnosis of Scrub typhus is a challenge as it presents with various signs and symptoms. Antigenic variation of Orientia tsusugamushi will help in knowing a circulating strain which can be of use for a sensitive point of care test. | A study of scrub typhus, its various clinical presentation and antigenic types detected by IFA
