Marked elevation of serum lipase in scrub typhus without pancreatitis: a report of three cases. (October 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bhargava, Anurag; Ali, Sathiq; Rajeevan, Rohit; Udyavara, Raghavendra
• Is Part Of: Tropical doctor. Volume 49:Number 4(2019)
• Page Start: 314
• Page End: 316
• Publication Date: 2019-10
• Subjects: Scrub typhus -- serum lipase -- biomarkers; Tropical medicine -- Periodicals; Medical care -- Developing countries -- Periodicals; Developing Countries -- Periodicals; Tropical Medicine -- Periodicals; Tropische geneeskunde; 616.9883
• DOI: 10.1177/0049475519855536
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0049-4755

Abstract

Scrub typhus, a re-emerging acute febrile zoonosis can present as an undifferentiated fever often complicated by potentially fatal systemic involvement. Acute pancreatitis is a rare complication of scrub typhus which can result in a marked elevation of serum lipase. We report three cases of scrub typhus who presented with acute undifferentiated fever, where a marked elevation of serum lipase occurred without any evidence of acute pancreatitis, or other causes of elevated lipase levels. Scrub typhus should be considered as a cause of marked elevation of serum lipase, which can occur in the absence of pancreatitis.