Case Report: Acute pyelonephritis and hearing loss in scrub typhus.

Acute pyelonephritis is a common renal manifestation in patients with diabetes. A 52-year-old diabetic lady presented with loin pain, dysuria, and fever and urinary incontinence that had begun seven and three days prior to presentation respectively. She was treated with escalating spectra of intravenous antibiotics without improvement. Urine and blood cultures were sterile, while radiological investigations were suggestive of pyelonephritis. Mild hepatic dysfunction prompted consideration of scrub typhus and she improved with empirical doxycycline. Scrub IgM was later confirmed to be positive. In conclusion, local prevalence of systemic infections such as rickettsioses should always be considered in diabetics with fever, even if symptoms and signs otherwise suggest typical diabetes-related infections. We, therefore report a case of acute pyelonephritis caused by scrub typhus which has not been previously described in English medical literature.

Introduction

Among patients with diabetes mellitus, the urinary tract is the most common site of infection [1]. Urinary tract infections (UTI) are either related to the upper or lower urinary tract. Acute and chronic pyelonephritis are upper UTIs [1]. Bacteria ( Escherichia coli), viruses (Adenovirus), fungi ( Mucor), and mycobacteria ( Mycobacterium tuberculosis) commonly cause upper UTIs in diabetes [1]. Orientia tsutsugamushi (scrub typhus) has never been reported to cause pyelonephritis in English medical literature.

Case report

A 52-year-old grandmother of Indian origin, non-compliant to insulin for six months, presented to the Emergency Department of our hospital with fever and rigors, vomiting, headache, bilateral leg pain and myalgia, which had persisted for one week and urinary incontinence for the prior three days. She was unemployed, did not consume alcohol and had had no exposure to rodents or mite bites. Apart from over-the-counter antipyretics, she had neither consulted a health practitioner nor had she received antibiotics. On examination, she was conscious, oriented, toxic, febrile, drowsy, dehydrated with slurred speech, with body-mass index 20.2 kg/m 2, tachycardia, orthostatic hypotension, diminished hearing, with right renal angle fullness and tenderness. Initial investigations ( Table 1) revealed random sugars 435mg/dL, normal renal functions, ketonuria and glycosuria without pyuria, sinus tachycardia (electrocardiogram), and normal echocardiography. There were no malarial parasites on the peripheral smear. Arterial blood gas showed respiratory alkalosis with metabolic acidosis. Intravenous ceftriaxone 2g OD, intravenous fluids, insulin, acetaminophen 500mg three times a day, multivitamins (B12 1000µg, thiamine 100mg, pyridoxine 100mg, riboflavin 5mg and folate 5mg), pantoprazole 40mg, and domperidone 10mg were commenced for probable acute pyelonephritis. On day 3, piperacillin/tazobactam 4.5g every 8 hours and fluconazole 300mg once a day (OD) were substituted for ceftriaxone 2 g OD; oral amitriptyline 25mg was added to treat the patient’s painful neuropathy.

Table 1.

Investigations of the patient during hospital stay and follow-up.

Normal ranges for each test are provided. ESR - erythrocyte sedimentation rate.

	Day 1	Day 3	Day 5	Day 7	Follow up
Sodium (136–142 mmol/ L)	125	129
Total bilirubin) (1.1–2.4mg/dL)			1.87		2.25
Direct bilirubin (0.1–0.4mg/dL)			0.3		0.4
Total protein (6.3–7.9g/dL)			5.2		6.9
Albumin (3.5–5.5g/dL)			2.8		3.8
Aspartate aminotransferase (12–38U/L)			175		72
Alanine aminotransferase (7–40U/L)			64		63
Alkaline phosphatase (35–100U/L)			299		262
Creatinine (0.5–0.9mg/dL)	0.9
Hemoglobin (11.7–15.7g/dL)	10.8	9.0	8.9	7.2
Total leukocyte count (4–11 ×10⁹/L)	13.1	8.9	7.0	6.8
Platelets (150–450 ×10⁹/L)	202	311	362	368
ESR (0–20 mm/hour)	112	90	40

Blood and urine cultures were sterile. Ultrasonogram showed hepatomegaly and bilateral bulky kidneys. She developed diarrhea on day 4. Hence, piperacillin was discontinued after 36hrs even though there appeared to be a partial defervescence; diarrhea subsided after discontinuing piperacillin. Her toxemia and prostration persisted, and she needed assistance to the toilet in view of extreme weakness, but had no focal neurological deficits. On day 5, she was initiated on meropenem 1g every 8 hours and linezolid 600mg every 12 hours for persisting fever ( Figure 1A). Liver function tests showed elevated transaminases; hence probable rickettsioses was suspected and empirical doxycycline 100mg twice a day was initiated on day 6. The next day, Scrub Typhus Detect IgM (InBios International) done at a private laboratory returned positive with an OD of 1.732 (Cut-off: <0.500). Intravenous antibiotics were therefore discontinued and there was no recurrence of fever thereafter.

Figure 1.

( A) Fever spikes plotted from day 1 to day 5. ( B) Computed tomography scan revealing bilateral renomegaly and mild fat stranding in the right kidney.

Abdominal computed tomography (CT) on the 8 th day showed bilateral bulky kidneys with mild perinephric fat stranding ( Figure 1B), thus confirming the provisional diagnosis. The pancreas was normal. She also had left-sided proliferative diabetic retinopathy and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss (average of 75dB and 90dB in the right and left ear respectively). She then completed a 7-day course of doxycycline 100mg twice a day and was advised another week’s therapy at home. She had had no fever thereafter. On follow up, liver function test (LFT) had improved ( Table 1), as did her hearing (47 dB in the right and 87 dB in the left) which favored our diagnosis of probable acute scrub typhus.

Discussion

Diabetes mellitus, due to hyperglycemia, ketoacidosis, vascular insufficiency, and impaired neutrophil and monocyte function, makes patients prone to UTIs [1]. Diagnosis of acute pyelonephritis (APN) clinically is a syndrome of fever, chills, vomiting, and flank pain associated with pyuria, and is often radiologically confirmed [2]. In a prospective study, only 1/4 th patients had a positive urine culture and only 65% had pyuria [2], echoing the findings in our patient. In total, 14 among 223 patients had diabetes. Even though our patient did not have pyuria, symptoms/signs in a poorly controlled diabetic led us to a diagnosis of APN and empirical treatment was instituted for the same. Renal abnormalities in scrub typhus range from simple proteinuria/hematuria to acute kidney injury and occasionally, chronic kidney disease [3]. Our patient had glycosuria and positive microalbuminuria (92µg/mg). Mechanisms postulated for renal involvement include rickettsiae-related vasculitis, tubular interstitial proliferation, and tubular necrosis [3]. APN in scrub typhus has been reported only once, in Chinese medical literature in a 56-year-old Chinese lady who had urgency, flank pain and an eschar [4].

Diabetes is a risk factor for scrub typhus-induced acute kidney injury. Since leukocytosis reduced with ceftriaxone without adequate fever response, we presumed poor control of bacterial/fungal infection and treated her with fluconazole and piperacillin/tazobactum. Since LFT could not be performed prior to day 4 due to technical reasons, rickettsioses were not suspected. Even though our locality is a high-prevalence area for scrub typhus, focal renal signs and symptoms led us to think otherwise [5]. A convalescent titer of Scrub IgM could not be done due to its unavailability and need for out-of-pocket expenses. PCR was not available. We also erred in contributing her hearing impairment to be the result of her toxemia and poor health. Pure tone audiometry was done 48 hours after doxycycline when the patient became self-ambulatory. Improvement of her hearing loss, albeit partial, two weeks after discharge suggests that scrub typhus could have also contributed to her hearing impairment [6]. Abdominal CT was also done after doxycycline therapy-whether findings are milder than expected is also debatable. Hypoalbuminemia and rapidly falling hemoglobin over seven days without overt blood or volume loss, could be attributed to hemoconcentration following scrub typhus-related capillary leak syndrome that was observed at initial presentation, and reverted to premorbid levels after fluid supplementation and antibiotics. In retrospect, fever, absence of pyuria, sterile urine, capillary leak syndrome, primary respiratory alkalosis, and hearing loss in a patient with high sugars and ketonuria should have made us think of an alternative etiological diagnosis. The pattern of LFT derangement did not suggest a biliary infection and pancreatic imaging was normal. Also, fever did not recur after initiating doxycycline and discontinuing other intravenous antibiotics which would favor a rickettsial infection rather than a systemic bacterial sepsis.

UTIs in diabetes are common, but scrub typhus as a probable cause of UTI/pyelonephritis has hitherto been unreported in English medical literature. Atypical organisms causing pyelonephritis should be considered in patients with multisystem involvement and in those with a UTI but without pyuria. Furthermore, local prevalence of systemic infections such as rickettsioses should always be considered in diabetics with fever, even if symptoms and signs otherwise suggest typical diabetes-related infections.

Consent

Written informed consent for publication of their clinical details and clinical images were obtained from the patient.

Data availability

All data underlying the results are available as part of the article and no additional source data are required.

The authors have revised the article and provided further useful information that improves the overall quality of the report. The lack of a convalescent sample for serological testing or other confirmatory tests remain a weakness. However, the additional details on risk factors and diagnostic testing should allow readers to draw a conclusion on the likelihood of scrub typhus infection causing pyelonephritis in this patient.

I confirm that I have read this submission and believe that I have an appropriate level of expertise to confirm that it is of an acceptable scientific standard.

The authors report a case of a 52 year old diabetic lady with complications, presenting with pyelonephritis. Cultures were negative and she was treated with antibiotics that were regularly escalated. She was also found to have bilateral sensorineural deafness on audiometry. Elevated liver enzymes prompted testing for scrub typhus and the IgM came back positive, leading to initiation of doxycycline and defervescence within hours.

For any case report, the diagnosis must be as robust as possible and an effort made to rule out other possible diagnoses. I agree with the other review that malaria should be ruled out. Other diagnoses to be excluded include leptospirosis, biliary infection or pancreatitis. Other background information would be useful e.g. antibiotics used pre-admission, occupation, freshwater contact, rodent contact, agricultural work, insect bites, alcohol intake and past history of scrub typhus.

The basis for the diagnosis of scrub typhus used in this report is limited. A "'Scrub IgM positive" does not inform the reader of what serological test or method was used, where the test was performed, what diagnostic cut-off was used to determine a positive result and whether this cut-off has been validated for the population which the patient belongs to. I suspect the test used was the InBios Scrub Typhus IgM ELISA, in which case the OD value and how the diagnostic cut-off was reached should be stated so the reader can form their own opinion on the strength of diagnosis.

The diagnosis of scrub typhus is not straightforward [1]. Antibody-detection tests (IFA, ELISAs) have inherent weaknesses, such as the presence of circulating antibodies in individuals within an endemic area where repeated exposure occurs, leading to false positive results. Acute and convalescent samples can give a clearer picture and a rise in antibody titre to >= 4 times is usually part of the diagnostic criteria. Is a convalescent blood sample available to compare IgM serology results? Culture and PCR will be more specific and will greatly improve the certainty of diagnosis but may not be available.

Scrub typhus can cause AKI, glomerulonephritis and nephrotic syndrome so pyelonephritis is possible [2] , [3]. However, the diagnostic case for scrub typhus must be more robust than currently presented. Additionally, one could argue that the general trend was that she was improving when doxycycline was initiated on day 6 as observed on the fever chart, which would go against severe scrub typhus with a renal complication.

Two main lessons can be drawn from this report. Firstly, in regions where scrub typhus is endemic and accurate diagnostic assays are unavailable, empirical treatment with doxycycline should be considered. Secondly, antibody-detection assays for scrub typhus have inherent weaknesses and until paired antigen/IgM tests are available, acute and convalescent samples are recommended for diagnostic confirmation. In this report, the evidence for scrub typhus infection is currently limited and the conclusion that this diagnosis is established should be delayed until further diagnostic information is available.

I confirm that I have read this submission and believe that I have an appropriate level of expertise to confirm that it is of an acceptable scientific standard, however I have significant reservations, as outlined above.

Dear Sir,

Malarial parasites were not visualized on the peripheral smear on at least 2 occasions. Nevertheless, there was no hepatosplenomegaly, discolored urine, jaundice, hyperbilirubinemia and thrombocytopenia to suggest malaria.

The same goes for biliary infection. The lady did not have pain suggestive of pancreatitis and computed tomography of pancreas was normal. We did not perform lipase.

Leptospirosis was considered even without her exposure to rain, water, or rodents but the thought did not persist in the absence of renal failure and thrombocytopenia and lack of response to ceftriaxone in the first three days.

Background information regarding her employment and others have been added to the manuscript.

The diagnostic kit and the cutoff values have been mentioned in the manuscript. Convalescence titers could not be performed due to the cost of performing it in an outside lab.

We would not generally agree that she was improving till day 5 even without doxycycline since the toxemia persisted that made us initiate meropenem and linezolid. Her symptoms did not recur on stopping these drugs and initiating doxycycline.

Culture and PCR were not available. This has been added to the text.

The authors describe a rare reported manifestation of Scrub Typhus namely acute pyelonephritis and hearing loss which improved with treatment. Acute pyelonephritis has been reported once as a case report from China and hearing loss in another six cases. The case is well described and convincing in that clinical features favor acute pyelonephritis. However since authors are describing a manifestation for the first time a more detailed account would have been better. For example, in view of negative cultures, treatment received prior to entry could have been listed. The authors base their conclusion on a chance sending of scrub IgM which came positive whereas learning points which serve as pointers to the diagnosis may be mentioned in discussion. The presence of liver dysfunction, anemia and fever would have merited investigation with other common tropical infections such as malaria, which can also involve the kidneys.

Unusual features in this description are absence of eschar, thrombocytopenia for scrub typhus and absence of pyuria. The absence of pyuria in 1/3 rd cases as observed in a previous prospective study, had only 6% of diabetics in their cohort and the diagnosis of acute pyelonephritis was mainly based on clinical criteria [1]. The sensitivity and specificity for diagnosis of acute pyelonephritis on urine investigations are: urinalysis (>10 WBCs/high power field), 58%–82% and 65%–86%; positive leukocyte esterase, 74%–96% and 94%–98%; nitrite, 35%–85% and 92%–100%; and leukocyte esterase plus nitrite tests, 75%–84% and 82%–89% respectively [2] , [3] , [4] , [5]. The sensitivity and specificity for diagnosis for acute pyelonephritis based on perinephric fat stranding was 72% and 60%. It is affected by age, sex and renal function and may not be a particularly useful tool for the diagnosis of acute pyelonephritis [6]. Bilateral enlarged kidneys, renal angle tenderness with associated vomiting are also observed in patients with infection or drug related acute interstitial nephritis. However, the absence of pyuria points against the diagnosis.

Certainly, scrub typhus can cause inflammation of organs due to endothelial infection, vasculitis and increases endothelial permeability. This report highlights the importance of keeping a high index of suspicion for this easily treatable disease especially in endemic areas. The article can be accepted as approved with caveats stated above.

We confirm that we have read this submission and believe that we have an appropriate level of expertise to confirm that it is of an acceptable scientific standard.

Dear Sir,

The lady did not receive any prior treatment. The details have been included.

It was not a chance sending of Scrub IgM. That facility is not available at our institution. Since LFT was done only on day 4, we could send a sample for Scrub IgM to a private lab only on day5.

Malarial parasites were not visualized on peripheral smear. Moreover, the LFT dysfunction was without hyperbilirubinemia.

All these details were not mentioned since this manuscript was submitted to another journal previously with a word count of 1000, and such information fell prey to the editing keys.

Unusual was the absence of eschar, but it is well known in Indian populations that the incidence of eschar is varying between 4-46% (Vivekanandan et al, 2010).

Thrombocytopenia was expected in a case of scrub typhus, and such a finding would have enabled us to pursue a diagnosis of scrub typhus earlier, even before the LFT.