A Rare Case of Pulmonary Thromboembolism and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) in Scrub Typhus

Orientia tsutsugamushi causes scrub typhus, a zoonotic illness (O tsutsugamushi). The disease is spread to humans through the biting of trombiculid mite larvae (chiggers). The case report adds light to thrombus formation in scrub typhus infection, an often-under-diagnosed entity. We report a 17-year-old female who presented with complaints of breathlessness after 11 days of symptoms of fever. The condition is widespread in India, with cases reported in a number of states. Persons are infected by the larval development (chigger) of trombiculid mites. Chiggers are spread by wild rats, and illness develops when chiggers feed on humans.Laboratory investigations revealed leukocytosis, thrombocytopenia, and radiological investigations showed ARDS and pleural effusion, and the patient was diagnosed to have scrub typhus. Treatment was given for the infection and its complications.