Scrub Typhus Presenting With Meningoencephalitis and Multiorgan Dysfunction Syndrome

Scrub typhus is an acute febrile illness endemic in India and remains an important yet often underdiagnosed cause of severe systemic infection. It is caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi and is characterized by endothelial injury leading to widespread vasculitis. We report the case of a 62-year-old male with a history of chronic alcohol use and no known comorbidities, who presented with a short history of fever, myalgia, arthralgia, mild confusion, and gait difficulty. The illness rapidly progressed to scrub typhus septicemia complicated by pulmonary edema, pleural effusion, meningoencephalitis, acute renal and hepatic injury, culminating in multiorgan dysfunction syndrome. He was treated with doxycycline and ceftriaxone along with supportive care, resulting in clinical improvement. This case highlights the wide spectrum of clinical manifestations of scrub typhus and underscores the importance of early diagnosis and timely intervention to reduce morbidity and mortality.