Marked elevation of serum lipase in scrub typhus without pancreatitis: a report of three cases

Abstract

Scrub typhus, a re-emerging acute febrile zoonosis can present as an undifferentiated fever often complicated by potentially fatal systemic involvement. Acute pancreatitis is a rare complication of scrub typhus which can result in a marked elevation of serum lipase. We report three cases of scrub typhus who presented with acute undifferentiated fever, where a marked elevation of serum lipase occurred without any evidence of acute pancreatitis, or other causes of elevated lipase levels. Scrub typhus should be considered as a cause of marked elevation of serum lipase, which can occur in the absence of pancreatitis.