The rapid effectiveness of minocycline against scrub typhus meningoencephalitis

Abstract

Scrub typhus is associated with various clinical symptoms. However, the pathogenesis of scrub typhus infection remains to be elucidated. A 73-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with consciousness disturbance and suspected meningoencephalitis. The patient’s laboratory data showed deterioration and were indicative of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). A whole body examination to detect the trigger disease revealed an eschar, which is a characteristic of scrub typhus, on his back. His symptoms showed dramatic improvement after the administration of minocycline (MINO). This case report highlights that the clinical course of a case of scrub typhus meningoencephalitis that was cured with MINO.