Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: EC:2.6.1.2 (alanine aminotransferase)
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Scrub typhus is an acute febrile illness that generally causes non-specific symptoms and signs of which fever is the most common. It is one of the causes of "fevers of unknown origin" in the Asia-Pacific region. The relationship between hepatic dysfunction and scrub typhus has been given little attention in the literature. From 1982 to 1993, 47 patients diagnosed with scrub typhus at Tri-Service General Hospital, Taipei, were studied, with attention being given to hepatic dysfunction. The medical records of these patients were reviewed thoroughly. Hepatic dysfunction occurred in 77% (36/47) of patients. Among the liver function parameters, the percentage of abnormality was 74.5% for aspartate aminotransferase, 74.5% for alanine aminotransferase, 57.4% for alkaline phosphatase, 44.7% for lactate dehydrogenase and 44.7% for serum bilirubin. Six patients presented with a picture of true hepatitis similar to acute viral hepatitis. The results indicate that hepatocellular damage does occur in scrub typhus, and is perhaps, more common than previously realized. We recommend that the differential diagnosis of patients from high-risk groups and endemic areas who present with hepatitis-like symptoms should include examination for scrub typhus.
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PMID:Hepatic dysfunction in scrub typhus. 761 39

We compared the severity of clinical symptoms and laboratory test results of tsutsugamushi disease patients in Oita Prefecture according to the serotype of infected R. tsutsugamushi. Of the 45 patients, except one with the Karp-type, who were suffering in Oita Prefecture between 1992 and 1994, 20 were the Irie-type and 24 were the Hirano-type. There was no apparent difference with regard to clinical symptoms between the two groups of patients. Laboratory tests showed that CRP increased almost equally in the two groups. The ESR level was slightly higher in the Irie-type patients than in the Hirano-type, but did not differ significantly between the two groups. Both leukocyte count in the acute stage and platelet count decreased in the Hirano-type, as compared with those of normal ranges in the Irie-type. GPT values elevated in proportion to the day of illness in the acute stage. This trend continued after the initiation of specific chemotherapy in the Hirano-type. The median GOT, GPT and LDH values were 71, 65 and 709 IU/l for the patients in the Hirano-type, as compared with 37, 36.5 and 546.5 for the patients in the Irie-type, respectively. Above results show that the Hirano-type rickettsiae produces a more severe illness than the Irie-type ricketsia. Platelet count had a significant correlation with ESR, suggesting the pathophysiologic changes leading to disseminated intravascular coagulation, a symptom of severe tsutsugamushi disease. There may be common causes in leukopenia and thrombopenia, as being suggested by the significant correlation between leukocyte count and platelet count.
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PMID:[Analysis of clinical severity of tsutsugamushi disease according to the serotype of pathogenic rickettsia]. 916 83

Scrub typhus, a mite-transmitted zoonosis caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi, is a disease endemic to Taiwan. Serious complications in scrub typhus were more common in the past 4 years than reported previously. Between August 1993 and July 1997, 33 cases of scrub typhus were admitted at Tri-Service General Hospital. Symptoms and signs were: fever (100%), chills (39%), cough (24%), headache (21%), diarrhea (18%), dyspnea (18%), eschar (60%), adenopathy (33%), and rash (21%). Nineteen percent (6/32) had obvious leukopenia (WBC < 4000/ mm3), 34% (11/32) had leukocytosis(WBC > 10,000/mm3) and 44% (14/32) had thrombocytopenia (platelet count < 100,000/mm3). Elevation of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and elevation of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were 81% (26/32) and 75% (24/32), respectively. Serious complications included pneumonitis 36% (12/33), acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) 15% (5/33), acute renal failure 9% (3/33), myocarditis 3% (1/33) and septic shock 3% (1/33). One patient died of ARDS due to delay in diagnosis. Other patients recovered after appropriate antibiotic and intensive supportive treatments. Emerging virulent strains of O. tsutsugamushi in Taiwan might be biologically plausible. Scrub typhus should be considered in a patient with fever, varying degree of respiratory distress, particularly if there is an eschar or a history of environmental exposure in endemic areas. Prompt diagnosis, timely antimicrobial therapy and intensive supportive care are important for ARDS and other life-threatening complications.
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PMID:Serious complications in scrub typhus. 1049 65

Clinical features of tsutsugamushi disease (scrub typhus) were analyzed, based on 416 cases reported in Japan in 1998. Three major clinical symptoms: eschar, fever and rash were found in 87%, 98% and 92% of the cases, respectively. Elevated levels of CRP, GOT, GPT and LDH were observed in 96%, 85%, 78% and 91%, respectively. These clinical and laboratory findings were observed in the majority of the cases and considered important for diagnosis. Disseminated intravascular coagulation developed in 21 cases, indicating that scrub typhus can be life threatening. Lymphadenopathy was observed in 51% of the cases. Enlarged lymph nodes were limited to the local sites in 75% of these lymphadenopathy cases and most of these sites were adjacent to eschars. Most eschars were scabbed and located in the abdomen and the lower half of the body, especially the feet. This suggests that these parts are frequently exposed to tsutsugamushi mites. Furthermore, the skin is soft in these parts and covered by cloth. These factors may make it possible for mites to keep biting without being noticed for several hours, long enough for rickettsial transmission. Interestingly, eschar and rash were absent in 14% and 8% of the cases, respectively. This result suggests that the cases without the unique symptoms may have been misdiagnosed as common cold or other febrile illnesses. One hundred and fifty-four suspected cases were not scrub typhus cases by the serological tests. The three major clinical symptoms were present in approximately a half of these negative cases, eschar being observed in approximately 70%. This may suggest the presence of new type of scrub typhus can not be diagnosed by the present laboratory tests. Clinical features of scrub typhus in Japan were well revealed, and information obtained in the present study is useful for improving clinical diagnosis. It should, however, be stressed that there were cases that could not be correctly diagnosed only by the clinical symptoms, suggesting that it is important to improve the serological tests.
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PMID:[Tsutsugamushi disease (scrub typhus) in Japan: clinical features]. 1142 84

Surveillance for scrub typhus was conducted in Japan in 1998 using a questionnaire. A total of 462 cases were reported. Scrub typhus occurred in both the fall and spring in the northern part of Honshu (the main island), and in the fall in the central part of Honshu and on the island of Kyushu. The occurrence of the disease varied with age, gender, and activity. Seventy-six percent of the patients were more than 51 years old, and 36% and 16% of the patients were engaged in farm work and forestry, respectively. Fever, rash, and eschar were detected in 98%, 93%, and 97% of the patients, respectively. Elevated levels of C-reactive protein, aspartate transaminase, and alanine transaminase were detected in 96%, 87%, and 77% of the patients, respectively. Disseminated intravascular coagulation developed in 34 cases and had a unique regional distribution. This study shows the status of scrub typhus in Japan in 1998 and provides important information for diagnosis and prevention.
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PMID:Scrub typhus in Japan: epidemiology and clinical features of cases reported in 1998. 1238 41

We have performed a case-control analysis to determine the significance of clinical, laboratory and epidemiological features as predictive factors of rickettsioses among patients in Sangkhla Buri, Thailand (Thai-Myanmar border). Fifteen serologically-confirmed rickettsiosis patients including Spotted Fever Group (SFG) rickettsioses, scrub typhus, and murine typhus were classified as 'cases'; one hundred and sixty-three acutely febrile patients presenting to the same hospital during the same time period, who had no serological evidence of acute rickettsiosis, were classified as 'controls'. Patients' report of rash/arthropod bite [Odds ratio (OR) 22.90, 95% CI (confidence interval) 6.23, 84.13] and history of jungle trips (OR 5.30, 95% CI 1.69-16.62) were significant risk factors. Elevated ALT (OR 3.04, 95% CI 1.04, 8.88) and depressed platelet count (OR 3.38, 95% CI 1.13, 10.10) were also useful differentiating markers of rickettsioses in this population. Definitive diagnosis of rickettsioses is difficult without specialized diagnostic capabilities that are rarely available in remote areas such as Sangkhla Buri, where other acute febrile illnesses with similar presentation are commonly found. The relative importance of predictive factors presented here may provide clinicians with some useful guidance in distinguishing rickettsioses from other acute febrile illnesses. Timely administration of empiric treatment in highly suspicious cases can deter potential morbidity from these arthropod-borne infections.
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PMID:A study of'febrile illnesses on the Thai-Myanmar border: predictive factors of rickettsioses. 1568 83

Scrub typhus is one kind of rickettsial disease and may cause fever, cough, and skin rashes in infected humans. Regarding liver involvement, it was uncommon to be reported in previous medical literature from Western countries. This study observes the relationship between scrub typhus and liver function. From January 1998 to August 2003 in Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Taiwan, we observed 30 patients with scrub typhus, and 29 of them had liver function abnormality. In these patients, we found 89.3% with elevated aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels, 91.7% with elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, 84.2% with elevated alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels, and 38.5% with elevated total bilirubin levels. In our study, there is a close relationship between scrub typhus and impaired liver function tests. Therefore, if patients are found with fever of unknown origin and abnormal liver function, we should take scrub typhus into consideration.
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PMID:Short report: Abnormal liver function in scrub typhus. 1622 6

A 64-year-old man visited our clinic with a 9-day history of headache and fever. He had frequent, severe, electric shock-like pain in his left eye, forehead, and scalp. The body temperature was 37.1 degrees. Cranial nerve functions were intact. Limb weakness and stiff neck were absent. There were injection of the conjunctiva, a red rash on the trunk, and an eschar in the axilla. Abnormal laboratory findings included AST 40 IU, ALT 44 IU, CRP 16.0 mg/dl, WBC 11,090/microl, and proteinuria. CT scan was unremarkable. The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) showed 2 polymorphs/microl, 6 lymphocytes/microl, 65 mg/dl of glucose, and 42 mg/dl of protein. A diagnosis of scrub typhus was made. Treatment with minocycline brought about prompt disappearance of the fever and dramatic clinical improvement. Increased antibody titers confirmed the diagnosis. Although almost all patients present with high fever and severe headache, only a small number of patients have CSF pleocytosis. The present case illustrates that pain in scrub typhus is, on rare occasions, indistinguishable from trigeminal neuralgia. Neurologists should have a high index of suspicion in patients with fever and headache during the epidemic season and should be familiar with the systemic symptoms and signs.
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PMID:[Case of tsutsugamushi disease (scrub typhus) presenting with fever and pain indistinguishable from trigeminal neuralgia]. 1763 12

We retrospectively analyzed patients with leptospirosis (n = 35), scrub typhus (n = 45), and coinfection (leptospirosis and scrub typhus [n = 7]) to facilitate the detection of coinfection. Our data showed that factors favoring these disease entities included animal contact, an aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase ratio > 2 (for leptospirosis); outdoor exposure, lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly, eschar, and elevated alkaline phosphatase levels (for scrub typhus and coinfection); calf tenderness, conjunctival suffusion, jaundice, oliguria, elevated total bilirubin levels and serum creatinine levels (for leptospirosis and coinfection); and maculopapular rash (for scrub typhus). Patients at risk for leptospirosis are often at increased risk for scrub typhus and vice versa. Lack of knowledge of coinfection may jeopardize the health of affected patients. Our study serves as a reminder of potential coinfection and provides clues for its detection.
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PMID:Coinfection with leptospirosis and scrub typhus in Taiwanese patients. 1782 72

Orientia tsutsugamushi, the cause of scrub typhus, is a major pathogen in the Asia-Pacific region. The severity of infection ranges from mild features to multiorgan failure and death. The aim of this prospective study was to define the O. tsutsugamushi loads in the blood samples of patients with scrub typhus on the day of hospital admission and to determine whether this was associated with disease severity. Quantitation was performed using a real-time PCR assay targeting the 16S rRNA gene of O. tsutsugamushi. A total of 155 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of scrub typhus had a median (interquartile range [IQR], range) O. tsutsugamushi DNA load in blood of 13 (0 to 334, 0 to 310,253) copies/ml. This included 74 patients who had undetectable bacterial loads. An analysis of bacterial load versus clinical features for all 155 patents demonstrated that duration of illness (P < 0.001), presence of eschar (P = 0.004), and concentrations of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase (P < 0.001 for all three) were positively correlated with bacterial load. Patients who died had a significantly higher bacterial load than those who survived (mean [standard deviation] values: 17,154 [12.7] versus 281 [5.2] copies/ml; P < 0.001). This study has demonstrated a relationship between bacterial load and disease severity in adults with scrub typhus.
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PMID:Association of high Orientia tsutsugamushi DNA loads with disease of greater severity in adults with scrub typhus. 1909 12


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