Pericarditis due to Tsutsugamushi Disease

Abstract

Tsutsugamushi Disease is an acute febrile illness caused by Rickettsia tsutsugamushi, which enters into the human bloodstream through the bite of leptotrombidium. It is characterized by eschar, fever and cutaneous rash. Pericardial effusion in Tsutsugamushi Disease is not a common manifestation, although a high rate of effusion was reported in autopsy in those who had died of the disease. Here, we report a case of Tsutsugamushi pericarditis documented by indirect immunofluorescent test of pericardial fluid, and give a brief review of the literature.