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PRINT ISSN : 2319-7692
Online ISSN : 2319-7706 Issues : 12 per year Publisher : Excellent Publishers Email : editorijcmas@gmail.com / submit@ijcmas.com Editor-in-chief: Dr.M.Prakash Index Copernicus ICV 2018: 95.39 NAAS RATING 2020: 5.38 |
Rickettsial diseases are generally classified under the causes of Fever of unknown origin (FUO) and high prevalence of this disease is found in developing countries like India. Due to the difficulties in clinical diagnosis and lack of laboratory methods in many geographical areas it is an underestimated public health problem. Mortality may be as high as 30-40% if untreated. This is a retrospective study conducted to estimate the prevalence of rickettsial diseases among the patients visiting a tertiary care center in rural southern India for a period of 18 months. The sensitivity and specificity of Weil-Felix test is low but even today it is done as it’s the most convenient and economical test available for the diagnosis of rickettsial infections. Out of 264 samples, 125 were positive by Weil-Felix test, out of which 65 were males and 60 were females. Prevalence of rickettsial diseases is significant in this region and greater clinical awareness in the differential diagnosis of fevers is required for early diagnosis and treatment.