A Study on Common Etiologies of Acute Febrile Illness Detectable by Microbiological Tests in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Acute febrile illness is a common cause of patients seeking health care settings posing a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge to the health care workers. The aim of the study was to identify the common etiologies of acute febrile illness which are detectable by employing microbiological tests with correlation of laboratory parameters. This is a retrospective study involving 200 cases of acute febrile illness in a tertiary care hospital, Salem from December 2015-May 2016. Blood samples were tested for Dengue, Malaria, Typhoid, Leptospirosis, Rickettsial infections and complete blood count analysis. Males and persons with age group of 20-40 were commonly affected. The commonest cause of acute febrile illness was Dengue in 54 cases (27%) with Primary Dengue infection in 45 cases (83%) and Secondary dengue infection in 9 cases (17%). Most cases of Dengue were reported in monsoon and post monsoon period. Other causes of acute febrile illness detected were Typhoid in 6cases (4%), Malaria in 4cases(2%) and Rickettsial infections in 2cases (1%). Thrombocytopenia and leucopenia were marked in Dengue cases. Most Typhoid cases had leucopenia and Malaria cases had thrombocytopenia. Confirmatory diagnostic tests along with clinical skills and a good knowledge on epidemiology of febrile illness is essential in the management of such infections. Vector control measures along with public awareness on preventive measures needs to be strengthened.