Imaging of Scrub Typhus by PET/CT

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Fever of unknown origin presents a diagnostic challenge.
• Scrub typhus is a zoonotic disease caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi.

Observation:

• A 19-year-old male presented with fever, dizziness, headache, fatigue, and scrotal pain.
• Physical examination revealed an eschar in the scrotum.

Findings:

• FDG PET/CT imaging demonstrated multiple hypermetabolic foci in enlarged lymph nodes.
• Mildly increased FDG uptake was observed in the spleen and lung bases.
• Diagnosis of scrub typhus was confirmed by positive Weil-Felix test and response to therapy.

Implications:

• FDG PET/CT can be a valuable tool in diagnosing scrub typhus, especially in cases of fever of unknown origin.
• Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for favorable outcomes in scrub typhus.
• The presentation highlights the importance of considering infectious etiologies in young adults with systemic symptoms and localized findings.