A Clinical and Serologic Study of 21 Cases of Tsutsugamushi Disease Confirmed by Serologic test

혈청학적으로 확진된 쯔쯔가무시(Tsutsugamushi)병 21예에 대한 임상적 고찰

Tsutsugamushi disease is an acute febrile disease caused by Rickettsia tsutsugamushi, and which has been reported with increasing frequency through the nation since 1986. We experienced 21 cases of Tsutsugamushi disease diagnosed with serologic test occuring in Taegu city and Kyungpook province during October-November, 1989. The results of survey are as follow. 1) Of 21 cases, 12(57%) were males and 9(43%) were females, and the peak incidence was the 4th decade. 2) The outbreak was in October to November and the peak incidence was in October. 3) The most frequent symptoms were fever and chill(100%), myalgia(95%), headache(90%). Eschar and rash were observed in 18 patients(86%) and the eschar was detected in all over the body, especially thorax(33%) and lower extremity(22%). 4) Laboratory features were SGOT elevation(83%), SGPT elevation(61%), LDH elevation(67%). leukocytosis (38%). 5) Indirect immunofluorescent antibody test was done m 18 patients and the antibody titer was above 1 : 320 in all patients. 6) The chloramphenicol, tetracycline or doxycycline regimens were very effective and mean duration of defervescence from iniation of therapy was 1.3 days. 7) The complication such as meningitis or shock, was not seen.

1989년 가을 대구, 경북 및 그 인접지역에서 발생한 쯔쯔가무시병을 21예를 혈청학적 방법으로 진단하여 다음과 같은 결과를 얻었다. 1) 발병연령은 26세에서 72세까지였고 40대에서 발병율이 가장 높았으며 발병시기는 10월중순에서 11월초까지 발생하였고 10월말에 발생빈도가 가장 높았다. 2) 증상은 고열과 오한(100%), 근육통(95%), 두통(90%), 인후통(38%) 등이었고 이학적 소견으로 가피와 발진이 21예중 18예(86%)에서 관찰 되었다. 3) 검사실 소견상 SGOT증가(83%), SGPT증가(61%), LDH증가(67%)와 적혈구 침강속도의 증가(63%)가 있었으며 Weil-Felix검사를 시행한 16예 중 전례에서 1:40이상의 역가를 보였으며 간접면역형광항체법을 시행한 18예 중 전례에서 1:320이상의 항체역가를 보였다. 4) 치료는 tetracycline 또는 chloramphenicol, doxycycline을 투여하였고 평균 해열기간은 투약후 1.3일 이었으며 합병증이 발생한 예는 없었다. 이상의 결과와 같이 정확한 환자의 병력과 임상증상 및 이학적 소견만으로도 조기에 쯔쯔가무시병을 진단하여 치료하면 별다른 합병증 없이 치료될 수 있다.