Seroprevalence
of Scrub typhus in East Khasi hills and South West Khasi hills districts of Meghalaya,
India
Hynniewta Barry Cooper, Wanswett Wandarisa, Kurbah Ronald Eleazer and Pyrbot Jupirika
Elangbam
Res. J. Biotech.; Vol. 20(3); 96-101;
doi: https://doi.org/10.25303/203rjbt0960101; (2025)
Abstract
This study investigates the seroprevalence of Scrub typhus in Meghalaya, India's
east and south west Khasi hills districts. The Pasteur Institute in Shillong, Meghalaya,
conducted a retrospective observational study from November 2022 to May 2023. The
study involved 146 individuals with clinical suspicion of Scrub typhus, using the
Scrub typhus Detect IgM Elisa. The IgM Elisa diagnosed Scrub typhus IgM levels >11
as positive, 9-11 as equivocal and <9 as negative. The R statistical program was
used for statistical analysis. The Chi-square test was used to determine correlations
between gender and age groups. Significant data was defined as a p-value of 0.05
or lower.
Acute pyrexia patients suspected of Scrub typhus tested positive for IgM Scrub typhus
Elisa. Gender distribution was not significant, with males (72.7%) being the majority
of positives. Age groups 0-10 years have the highest IgM 7/17 seropositive rates
(41.2%), with majority patients aged 21-30. Males, particularly in rural areas,
are engaged in outdoor activities more frequently than females, with 27.3% of males
being positive and 72.7% being negative. Equivocal males are 42.9% more likely to
engage in outdoor activities than females, who are more likely to spend time in
the kitchen. Scrub typhus is endemic in many Indian regions, requiring ongoing surveillance.
Patients with fever, rash, myalgia and liver failure should be evaluated, especially
in high-altitude regions during the monsoon season. Undifferentiated fevers lasting
over a week and not responding to traditional antibiotics warrant a clinical and
diagnostic workup for Scrub typhus.
