Scrub Typhus

Overview

5 out of 5 (1 Reviews)

Credits

1.00

Post Assessment Questions

6

Start Date

1 Jan 2021

Last Review Date

17 Mar 2024

Expiration Date

31 Dec 2023

Estimated Time To Finish

60 Minutes


 
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Activity Description

Scrub typhus is a severe infectious disease caused by the rickettsial bacterium Orientia tsutsugamushi, presenting a significant public health concern in the Asia-Pacific region, especially within the "tsutsugamushi triangle." Spanning over 8 million square kilometers and affecting more than 1 billion people across countries such as Pakistan in the west, Australia in the south, and Japan in the east, this triangular area poses a significant public health threat with a high risk of fatality. Despite its severity, scrub typhus remains a neglected disease in terms of research and healthcare policy formulation. 

Transmission occurs through the bite of larval trombiculid mites, which can lead to disseminated vasculitis, perivascular inflammation, vascular leakage, and end-organ injury. Travelers to endemic regions and individuals of all ages are susceptible to this disease, which manifests with symptoms such as fever, headache, myalgia, and gastrointestinal issues. An eschar—a black ulcer with central necrosis—may develop at the site of the bite, although its presence varies by region. 

Diagnosis relies on clinical suspicion, followed by confirmation through serological tests, underscoring the critical importance of timely and accurate detection. This ensures effective interprofessional management, facilitating comprehensive patient care and implementing prevention strategies against scrub typhus. This activity offers a comprehensive review covering the evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, and complications of scrub typhus. This activity also underscores the pivotal role of the interprofessional healthcare team in facilitating early diagnosis and treatment for patients affected by this condition, emphasizing collaboration as key to effective patient care.


Target Audience

This activity has been designed to meet the educational needs of physicians.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this activity, the learner will be better able to:

  • Identify the clinical features and epidemiological significance of scrub typhus, including eschar formation and its variations by region.

  • Implement timely and accurate diagnostic tests, including serological tests, to confirm scrub typhus diagnosis and initiate appropriate treatment promptly.

  • Select and utilize appropriate preventive measures, such as chemoprophylaxis, in high-risk occupational groups, including agricultural laborers in endemic regions.

  • Collaborate with infectious disease experts, laboratory technicians, and other multidisciplinary healthcare professionals for accurate diagnosis, treatment, and management of scrub typhus cases.

Disclosures

The Campbell University Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine (CUSOM) requires instructors, planners, managers, and other individuals who are in a position to control the content of this activity to disclose any real or apparent conflict of interest they or their immediate family may have as related to the content of this activity. All identified conflicts of interest are thoroughly vetted by CUSOM for resolution, to ensure fair balance, scientific objectivity of studies mentioned in the materials or used as the basis for content, and appropriateness of patient care recommendations.

CUSOM will identify, review, and resolve all conflicts of interest that faculty, authors, activity directors, planners, managers, peer reviewers, or relevant staff disclose prior to an educational activity being delivered to learners. Disclosure of a relationship is not intended to suggest or condone bias in any presentation but is made to provide participants with information that might be of potential importance to their evaluation of a presentation. Disclosure information for authors, editors, planners, peer reviewers, and/or relevant staff is provided with this activity.

Continuing Education Accreditation Information

 

 

The Campbell University Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine (CUSOM) is accredited by the American Osteopathic Association to provide osteopathic continuing medical education for physicians. CUSOM designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1.00 AOA Category 1 B Credits and will report CME credits commensurate with the extent of the physician's participation in the activity.

Cancellation Policy: Cancellations must be received in writing and a money back guarantee is provided if not completely satisfied.

  • StatPearls and CUSOM reserve the right to cancel any course due to unforeseen circumstances. StatPearls and CUSOM will not be responsible for other expenses incurred by the participant in the unlikely event that the program is canceled.

Equal Opportunity

  • StatPearls and CUSOM are Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action / Equal Access Institutions. 

Medium or Media Used:

  • Computer Requirements:  Internet Access
  • E-mail Address

Instructions for Credit

  1. Register for the activity and create a StatPearls login.     
  2. Review the required accreditation information:  Target audience, learning objectives and disclosure information.
  3. Complete the entire self-study activity.
  4. Complete the post-test assessments.
  5. Successfully pass the post-test with a minimum score of 100%.
  6. Complete the evaluation form.
  7. Obtain a certificate.

StatPearls and CUSOM adheres to AOA Standards regarding commercial support of continuing medical education. It is the policy of StatPearls and Campbell that the faculty and planning committee disclose real or apparent conflicts of interest relating to the topics of this educational activity, that relevant conflict(s) of interest are resolved and also that authors and editors will disclose any unlabeled/unapproved use of drug(s) or device(s) during their presentation. Detailed disclosure will be made prior to starting the activity.

The information provided at this CME/CE activity is for continuing education purposes only and is not meant to substitute for the independent medical/clinical judgment of a healthcare provider relative to diagnostic and treatment options of a specific patient’s medical condition.

This course is intended for osteopathic physicians who wish to earn AOA CME credit. Take this version of the course to ensure you receive appropriate credit.

 

 
 

Reviews

Chelsea H. on 10/31/2022

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