Developing a novel host transcript-based test to diagnose scrub typhus in children with acute encephalitis syndrome
The Encephalitis Society
National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences
Encephalitis, swelling or inflammation of the brain, is a serious global health problem, leading to death of up to one-third of people affected by it, and around half of survivors not recovering fully. Recent research has shown scrub typhus as a major cause of encephalitis in children in India. Scrub typhus is an infection caused by bacteria that affects around 1 million people each year, especially in southeast Asia. Early diagnosis of scrub typhus encephalitis is important, as it is treatable, so starting antibiotics early can prevent death and long-term health problems. Currently, scrub typhus diagnostics have problems (such as delays in performing lumbar puncture) that can lead to results being slow and/or unreliable. This research will start to address these challenges. I will examine the body’s responses (host transcripts) in the blood of children with scrub typhus encephalitis. I will compare these responses to those of patients with other causes of encephalitis and clinically similar brain infections. I will identify patient transcript responses unique to scrub typhus brain infection and use these transcripts to begin to develop a fast and accurate diagnostic blood test for scrub typhus encephalitis This test will offer prompt and accurate diagnosis, leading to earlier appropriate treatment and improved patient outcomes.
4.2 Evaluation of markers and technologies