Scrub typhus mimicking deep neck infection.
Scrub typhus is not uncommon in Asia and it is life threatening without correct treatment. The presentation of scrub typhus mimicking deep neck infection is rarely encountered by clinical physicians and delays the determination of the correct diagnosis. Here, we report a case of scrub typhus presenting symptoms like deep neck infection. The patient was admitted due to fever and a tender swelling on left side of his neck, which progressed to respiratory failure and acute renal failure under empirical use of ceftriaxone and metronidazole. After repetitive physical examinations, an eschar was found on his scalp. Finally he was successfully treated with tetracycline antibiotics.
Tsai
Chen-Chi
CC
Department of Medicine, Section of Infectious Disease, Buddhist Dalin Tzu Chi General Hospital and Tzu Chi University, Chiayi, Taiwan. antibody_1@msn.com
Chiang
Dung-Hung
DH
Duh
Ruay-Wang
RW
D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009333:Neck / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology*; D012285:Orientia tsutsugamushi; D012612:Scrub Typhus / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents