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Blacksell SD, Le KK, Rungrojn A, Wongsantichon J, Stenos J, Graves SR, Day NPJ. Gaps and inconsistencies in the current knowledge and implementation of biosafety and biosecurity practices for rickettsial pathogens. BMC Infect Dis 2024; 24:268. [PMID: 38424500 PMCID: PMC10905923 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-024-09151-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Rickettsia spp. and Orientia spp. are the causes of neglected infections that can lead to severe febrile and systemic illnesses in humans. Implementing proper biosafety practices when handling these pathogens is crucial to ensure a safe and sustainable work environment. It is essential to assess the current knowledge and identify any potential gaps to develop effective measures that minimise the risk of exposure to these pathogens. By doing so, we can establish a comprehensive framework that promotes safety, mitigates hazards, and safeguards the well-being of personnel and the surrounding community. METHODS AND RESULTS This review aimed to synthesise and determine the evidence base for biosafety precautions for Rickettsia spp. and Orientia spp. pathogens. Enhancing our understanding of the relative infectious risk associated with different strains of Rickettsia and Orientia spp. requires identifying the infectious dose of these pathogens that can cause human disease. The application of risk groups for Rickettsia and Orientia spp. is inconsistent across jurisdictions. There is also incomplete evidence regarding decontamination methods for these pathogens. With regards to Orientia spp. most of the available information is derived from experiments conducted with Rickettsia spp. CONCLUSIONS Rickettsia and Orientia spp. are neglected diseases, as demonstrated by the lack of evidence-based and specific biosafety information about these pathogens. In the case of Orientia spp., most of the available information is derived from Rickettsia spp., which may not be appropriate and overstate the risks of working with this pathogen. The advent of effective antibiotic therapy and a better understanding of the true hazards and risks associated with pathogen manipulation should inform decisions, allowing a sustainable and safe work environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stuart D Blacksell
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Research Medicine Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, 10400, Bangkok, Thailand.
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, Department of Medicine Research Building, University of Oxford, Nuffield, Oxford, UK.
| | - Khanh Kim Le
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Research Medicine Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, 10400, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Artharee Rungrojn
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Research Medicine Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, 10400, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Jantana Wongsantichon
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Research Medicine Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, 10400, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - John Stenos
- Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory, University Hospital Geelong, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | - Stephen R Graves
- Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory, University Hospital Geelong, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | - Nicholas P J Day
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Research Medicine Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, 10400, Bangkok, Thailand
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, Department of Medicine Research Building, University of Oxford, Nuffield, Oxford, UK
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Kumaraswamy J, Govindasamy P, Nagarajan LS, Gunasekaran K, Abhilash KPP, Prakash JAJ. Genotyping of Orientia tsutsugamushi circulating in and around Vellore (South India) using TSA 56 gene. Indian J Med Microbiol 2024; 47:100483. [PMID: 37890413 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmmb.2023.100483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 08/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The immunodominant TSA 56 gene of Orientia tsutsugamushi, (scrub typhus agent) has four variable regions (VD-I to VD-IV) making it useful for genotyping. This study was undertaken to determine Orientia tsutsugamushi genotypes circulating in and around Vellore using complete and partial TSA 56 gene. METHODS Of the 162 patients positive by 47 kDa qPCR, on 21 samples PCR to amplify the complete TSA 56 gene (≈1605 bp: Long protocol) and the partial gene sequence using the Horinouchi (≈650bp) and the Furuya (≈480 bp) protocol was performed. Sanger and Nanopore sequencing was performed to obtain sequence data for assigning genotype. For 13 amplicons partial and complete gene data was obtained. RESULTS Phylogenetic analysis of the complete gene (Long protocol) which includes VD-I to VD-IV region and partial gene (Horinouchi) which amplifies the VD-I to VD-III regions showed identical genotypes. Twelve belonged to TA763 genotype and one belongs to Karp genotype. The Furuya sequence (in silico) correctly identified the Karp genotype and 10 of the TA763 genotypes. Two TA763 genotypes (identified by complete and 650 bp partial gene analysis) were misidentified by Furuya sequence analysis as Karp genotype. CONCLUSIONS Analysis of the 13 complete 56 kDa gene sequences suggests that TA763 is the commonest genotype in Vellore. Sanger sequencing of the 650 bp fragment gives similar results. However, these results need to be validated by larger prospective multi-centric studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janaki Kumaraswamy
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Christian Medical College, Vellore, 632004, Tamil Nadu, India.
| | - Punitha Govindasamy
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Christian Medical College, Vellore, 632004, Tamil Nadu, India.
| | - Lakshmi Surya Nagarajan
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Christian Medical College, Vellore, 632004, Tamil Nadu, India.
| | - Karthik Gunasekaran
- Department of Medicine, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India.
| | - K P P Abhilash
- Emergency Medicine, Christian Medical College, Vellore, 632004, Tamil Nadu, India.
| | - John Antony Jude Prakash
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Christian Medical College, Vellore, 632004, Tamil Nadu, India.
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Kwon JS, Hong SI, Kim JY, Cha HH, Kim T, Park SY, Kim MC, Park SY, Choi SH, Chung JW, Kim SH. Cytokine and Chemokine Profiles in Acute Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome and Scrub Typhus in South Korea. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2023; 109:1311-1318. [PMID: 37903435 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.23-0146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/01/2023] Open
Abstract
In East Asia, severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) and scrub typhus, which are common endemic tick- and mite-mediated diseases sharing common clinical manifestations, are becoming public health concerns. However, there are limited data on the comparative immunopathogenesis between the two diseases. We compared the cytokine profiles of SFTS and scrub typhus to further elucidate immune responses that occur during the disease courses. We prospectively enrolled 44 patients with confirmed SFTS and 49 patients with scrub typhus from July 2015 to December 2020. In addition, 10 healthy volunteers were enrolled as healthy controls. A cytometric bead array was used to analyze plasma samples for 16 cytokines. A total of 68 plasma samples, including 31 (45.6%) from patients with SFTS and 37 (54.4%) from patients with scrub typhus, were available for cytokine measurement. There were three cytokine expression patterns: increased levels in both SFTS and scrub typhus (interleukin 6 [IL-6], IL-10, interferon gamma induced protein 10 [IP-10], and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor [GM-CSF]), highest levels in SFTS (interferon alpha [IFN-α], IFN-γ, granulocyte-CSF [G-CSF], monocyte chemotactic protein 1 [MCP-1], macrophage inflammatory protein 1α [MIP-1α], and IL-8), and distinct levels in scrub typhus (IL-12p40, tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNFα], IL-1β, regulated on activation and normally T-cell expressed and secreted [RANTES], IL-17A, and vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF]). Although patients with acute SFTS and scrub typhus exhibited partly shared expression patterns of cytokines related to disease severity, the different profiles of cytokines and chemokines might contribute to higher mortality in SFTS than in scrub typhus. Discrete patterns of helper T cell-related cytokines and VEGF might reflect differences in CD4 T-cell responses and vascular damage between these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji-Soo Kwon
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sun In Hong
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Cheonan, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Yeun Kim
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hye Hee Cha
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Taeeun Kim
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine, Jinju, Republic of Korea
| | - Se Yoon Park
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Seoul Hospital, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Min-Chul Kim
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Chung-Ang University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seong Yeon Park
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Dongguk University Ilsan Hospital, Goyang, Republic of Korea
| | - Seong-Ho Choi
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Chung-Ang University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin-Won Chung
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Chung-Ang University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung-Han Kim
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Guo Y, Zhou JX, Guo XG, Song WY, Zhao CF, Zhang ZW, Fan R, Chen T, Lv Y, Yin PW, Jin DC. Species diversity and related ecology of chiggers on small mammals in a unique geographical area of Yunnan Province, southwest China. Exp Appl Acarol 2023; 91:439-461. [PMID: 37870736 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-023-00841-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
Chiggers are common ectoparasites and the exclusive vector of scrub typhus. Based on previous investigations from a unique geographical area in Yunnan Province of southwest China, the Three Parallel Rivers Area, we retrospectively studied the species diversity and related ecology of chiggers on rodents and other small mammals. A very high species diversity of 120 chigger species was identified. Five dominant chigger species accounted for 59.4% (5238/8965) of total chiggers, and among them Leptotrombidium scutellare is the second major vector of scrub typhus in China. Species diversity of the chigger community fluctuates greatly in different altitudinal and latitudinal gradients. There are significant differences in species composition, species diversity and dominant species of chiggers among hosts with apparent community heterogeneity. Based on the species abundance distribution, the expected total number of chigger species was estimated to be 170, 50 more than the number of actually collected species; this further indicates a very high chigger species diversity in this area. The bipartite ecological network analysis revealed the intricate relationships between chigger and host species-positive and negative correlations existed among some species of dominant and vector chiggers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Guo
- Institute of Pathogens and Vectors, Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Dali University, Dali, 671000, Yunnan, China
| | - Juan-Xiu Zhou
- Institute of Pathogens and Vectors, Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Dali University, Dali, 671000, Yunnan, China
| | - Xian-Guo Guo
- Institute of Pathogens and Vectors, Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Dali University, Dali, 671000, Yunnan, China.
| | - Wen-Yu Song
- Institute of Pathogens and Vectors, Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Dali University, Dali, 671000, Yunnan, China
| | - Cheng-Fu Zhao
- Institute of Pathogens and Vectors, Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Dali University, Dali, 671000, Yunnan, China
| | - Zhi-Wei Zhang
- Institute of Pathogens and Vectors, Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Dali University, Dali, 671000, Yunnan, China
| | - Rong Fan
- Institute of Pathogens and Vectors, Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Dali University, Dali, 671000, Yunnan, China
| | - Ting Chen
- Institute of Pathogens and Vectors, Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Dali University, Dali, 671000, Yunnan, China
| | - Yan Lv
- Institute of Pathogens and Vectors, Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Dali University, Dali, 671000, Yunnan, China
| | - Peng-Wu Yin
- Institute of Pathogens and Vectors, Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Dali University, Dali, 671000, Yunnan, China
- Institute of Entomology, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, Guizhou, China
| | - Dao-Chao Jin
- Institute of Entomology, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, Guizhou, China
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Chen YL, Guo XG, Song WY, Ren TG, Zhang L, Fan R, Zhao CF, Zhang ZW, Dong WG, Huang XB, Jin DC. Disease vector occurrence and ecological characteristics of chiggers on the chestnut white-bellied rat Niviventer fulvescens in Southwest China between 2001 and 2019. Parasites Hosts Dis 2023; 61:272-281. [PMID: 37648232 PMCID: PMC10471469 DOI: 10.3347/phd.22044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Chigger mites are the vector of scrub typhus. This study estimates the infestation status and ecological characteristics of chiggers on the chestnut white-bellied rat Niviventer fulvescens in Southwest China between 2001 and 2019. Chiggers were identified under the microscope, and infestation indices were calculated. The Preston's log-normal model was used to fit the curve of species abundance distribution. A total of 6,557 chiggers were collected in 136 of 342 N. fulvescens rats, showing high overall infestation indices (prevalence=39.8%, mean abundance=19.2, mean intensity=48.2) and high species diversity (S=100, H'=3.0). Leptotrombidium cangjiangense, Neotrombicula japonica, and Ascoschoengastia sifanga were the three dominant chigger species (constituent ratio=42.9%; 2,736/6,384) and exhibited an aggregated distribution among different rat individuals. We identified 100 chigger species, with 3 of them (Leptotrombidium scutellare, Leptotrombidium wenense, and Leptotrombidium deliense) as the main vectors of scrub typhus in China and nine species as potential vectors of this disease. Disease vector occurrence on N. fulvescens may increase the risk of spreading scrub typhus from rats to humans. Chigger infestation on N. fulvescens varied significantly in different environments. The species abundance distribution showed a log-normal distribution pattern. The estimated number of chigger species on N. fulvescens was 126 species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Ling Chen
- Institute of Pathogens and Vectors, Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Dali University, Dali, Yunnan 671000,
China
| | - Xian-Guo Guo
- Institute of Pathogens and Vectors, Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Dali University, Dali, Yunnan 671000,
China
| | - Wen-Yu Song
- Institute of Pathogens and Vectors, Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Dali University, Dali, Yunnan 671000,
China
| | - Tian-Guang Ren
- Nursing College of Dali University, Dali, Yunnan, 671000,
China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Institute of Pathogens and Vectors, Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Dali University, Dali, Yunnan 671000,
China
| | - Rong Fan
- Institute of Pathogens and Vectors, Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Dali University, Dali, Yunnan 671000,
China
| | - Cheng-Fu Zhao
- Institute of Pathogens and Vectors, Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Dali University, Dali, Yunnan 671000,
China
| | - Zhi-Wei Zhang
- Institute of Pathogens and Vectors, Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Dali University, Dali, Yunnan 671000,
China
| | - Wen-Ge Dong
- Institute of Pathogens and Vectors, Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Dali University, Dali, Yunnan 671000,
China
| | - Xiao-Bin Huang
- Institute of Pathogens and Vectors, Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Dali University, Dali, Yunnan 671000,
China
| | - Dao-Chao Jin
- Institute of Entomology, Guizhou University, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550025, China, and The Expert Work Station for Dao-Chao Jin in Dali Prefecture, Dali, Yunnan, 671000,
China
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Chang FY, Wang RY, Yen TY, Shu PY, Yang SL. Human case of Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection in Eastern Taiwan. J Formos Med Assoc 2023; 122:286-289. [PMID: 36096862 DOI: 10.1016/j.jfma.2022.08.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA) is a tick-borne infection caused by the bacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilum. In this study, we report an indigenous case of clinically diagnosed HGA. The patient was a 41-year-old man who experienced a tick bite and later developed fever, chills, myalgia, malaise, thrombocytopenia, leukocytosis with a left shift, elevated hepatic transaminase levels, and splenomegaly upon admission to the hospital. Immunofluorescence assays detected seroconversion against A. phagocytophilum, whereas tests for spotted fever group rickettsiae, murine typhus, scrub typhus, Q fever, and ehrlichiosis were negative. ELISA and Western blot analysis using recombinant MSP2 protein confirmed the exposure to A. phagocytophilum. Oral doxycycline and intravenous ceftriaxone were prescribed, and the patient made a full recovery. Our findings indicate the presence of HGA on the main island of Taiwan. Precautions against tick bites should be taken when engaging in outdoor activities, and HGA should be considered by physicians in the differential diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng-Yee Chang
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ruo-Yu Wang
- Center for Diagnostics and Vaccine Development, Centers for Disease Control, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tsai-Ying Yen
- Institute of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Yun Shu
- Center for Diagnostics and Vaccine Development, Centers for Disease Control, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Su-Lin Yang
- Center for Diagnostics and Vaccine Development, Centers for Disease Control, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taipei, Taiwan.
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Inthawong M, Pinthong N, Thaiprakhong A, Wangrangsimakul T, Sunyakumthorn P, Hill J, Sonthayanon P, Paris DH, Dunachie SJ, Kronsteiner B. A whole blood intracellular cytokine assay optimised for field site studies demonstrates polyfunctionality of CD4+ T cells in acute scrub typhus. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0010905. [PMID: 36961865 PMCID: PMC10075457 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/25/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Assessment of cellular immune responses by combining intracellular cytokine staining and immunophenotyping using flow cytometry enables the simultaneous measurement of T cell phenotype and effector function in response to pathogens and vaccines. The use of whole blood samples rather than peripheral blood mononuclear cells avoids both the need for immediate processing and loss of functional antigen presenting cells due to processing and cryopreservation. Using whole blood provides the possibility to stimulate peripheral T cells in situ, and is more suitable for studies where sample volume is limited, such as those involving children, the elderly and critically ill patients. The aim of this study was to provide a robust tool for the assessment of antigen-specific T cell responses in a field site setting with limited resources. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPLE FINDINGS We optimised a flow cytometry-based whole blood intracellular cytokine assay (WBA) with respect to duration of antigen stimulation and intracellular protein retention time. We demonstrate the ability of the WBA to capture polyfunctional T cell responses in the context of acute scrub typhus infection, by measuring IFN-γ, TNF and IL-2 in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in response to the causative agent O. tsutsugamushi (OT). Using an optimised OT antigen preparation, we demonstrate the presence of polyfunctional antigen-specific memory CD4+ T cells in the blood of scrub typhus patients. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE In conclusion, this flow cytometry-based WBA is well-suited for use at field study sites, and enables the assessment of polyfunctional T cell responses to infectious agents and vaccines through delineation of antigen-specific cytokine secretion at the single cell level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manutsanun Inthawong
- Department of Molecular Tropical Medicine and Genetics, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Bangkok, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, United States Army Medical Directorate, Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences (USAMD-AFRIMS), Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Nattapon Pinthong
- Department of Protozoology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Areerat Thaiprakhong
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Bangkok, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Tri Wangrangsimakul
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Bangkok, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- NDM Center for Global Health Research, Nuffield Dept. of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Piyanate Sunyakumthorn
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, United States Army Medical Directorate, Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences (USAMD-AFRIMS), Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Jennifer Hill
- NDM Center for Global Health Research, Nuffield Dept. of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Piengchan Sonthayanon
- Department of Molecular Tropical Medicine and Genetics, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Bangkok, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Daniel H. Paris
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Bangkok, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Department of Medicine, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland
- Department of Clinical Research, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Susanna J. Dunachie
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Bangkok, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- NDM Center for Global Health Research, Nuffield Dept. of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Barbara Kronsteiner
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Bangkok, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- NDM Center for Global Health Research, Nuffield Dept. of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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Song X, Xie S, Huang X, Chen Z. The diagnosis and treatment of scrub typhus should be emphasized in non-endemic areas: A retrospective case series study. Medicine (Baltimore) 2023; 102:e32988. [PMID: 36827009 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000032988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The morbidity of tsutsugamushi is increasing and is no longer limited to endemic areas. Delayed diagnosis and inappropriate treatment can cause severe complications and increase mortality rates. We conducted a retrospective case series of patients with scrub typhus at our institution to report our experience and discuss the diagnostic modalities. We encountered 21 cases of scrub typhus at our institution between 2014 and 2022. The average age of the patients was 52 years (range: 22-63 years), 11 (52%) were farmers, and 11 (52%) had clear outdoor activities. Twenty (95%) patients had an ineffective history of general antibiotic treatment. The classic presentation was repeated fever in 95% of patients. Seventeen patients (81%) had eschar mainly on the groin (35%) and armpit (35%). Common laboratory findings included eosinophilia (95%), elevated alanine aminotransferase (95%), elevated aspartate aminotransferase (86%), thrombocytopenia (76%), lower hemoglobin (71%), and neutrophilia (38%). Six (29%) patients received the treatment of tigecycline, 4 (19%) patients received the treatment of doxycycline, and 11 (52%) patients received the treatment of minocycline. After 3 days of specific treatment, the eosinophilic levels showed a recovery trend. Twenty (95%) patients fully recovered, and 1 (5%) died. Careful physical examination and medical history are important for the early diagnosis of scrub typhus; clinicians in non-endemic areas need to strengthen their understanding of scrub typhus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Song
- Medical Department of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Department of Emergency, Jiangxi Provincial People's Hospital, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Shu Xie
- Department of Emergency, Jiangxi Provincial People's Hospital, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical College, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Xinhui Huang
- Medical Department of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- Department of Emergency, Jiangxi Provincial People's Hospital, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Zhi Chen
- Department of Emergency, Jiangxi Provincial People's Hospital, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical College, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
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Chen YL, Guo XG, Ding F, Lv Y, Yin PW, Song WY, Zhao CF, Zhang ZW, Fan R, Peng PY, Li B, Chen T, Jin DC. Infestation of Oriental House Rat ( Rattus tanezumi) with Chigger Mites Varies along Environmental Gradients across Five Provincial Regions of Southwest China. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2023; 20:2203. [PMID: 36767570 PMCID: PMC9916238 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20032203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Chigger mites are the exclusive vector of scrub typhus. Based on field investigations of 91 survey sites in 5 provincial regions of Southwest China, this paper reported variations of chigger infestation on the oriental house rat (Rattus tanezumi) along various environmental gradients. A total of 149 chigger species were identified from 2919 R. tanezumi in the 5 provincial regions, and Leptotrombidium deliense (a major vector of scrub typhus in China) was the first dominant chigger species, followed by Ascoschoengastia indica and Walchia ewingi. Rattus tanezumi had a stable overall prevalence (PM = 21.10%), mean abundance (MA = 7.01), and mean intensity (MI = 33.20) of chiggers with the same dominant mites in the whole Southwest China in comparison with a previous report in Yunnan Province, but chigger infestations on R. tanezumi varied along different environmental gradients. Rattus tanezumi in mountainous landscape had a higher infestation load of chiggers with higher species diversity than in flatland landscape. The infestation was higher at lower altitudes and latitudes. A high intensity of vegetation coverage was associated with high infestations. The results reflect the environmental heterogeneity of chiggers on the same host species. Warm climate and high relative humidity are beneficial to chigger infestation on R. tanezumi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Ling Chen
- Institute of Pathogens and Vectors, Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Dali University, Dali 671000, China
| | - Xian-Guo Guo
- Institute of Pathogens and Vectors, Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Dali University, Dali 671000, China
| | - Fan Ding
- Institute of Pathogens and Vectors, Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Dali University, Dali 671000, China
| | - Yan Lv
- Institute of Pathogens and Vectors, Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Dali University, Dali 671000, China
| | - Peng-Wu Yin
- Institute of Pathogens and Vectors, Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Dali University, Dali 671000, China
| | - Wen-Yu Song
- Institute of Pathogens and Vectors, Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Dali University, Dali 671000, China
| | - Cheng-Fu Zhao
- Institute of Pathogens and Vectors, Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Dali University, Dali 671000, China
| | - Zhi-Wei Zhang
- Institute of Pathogens and Vectors, Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Dali University, Dali 671000, China
| | - Rong Fan
- Institute of Pathogens and Vectors, Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Dali University, Dali 671000, China
| | - Pei-Ying Peng
- Institute of Microbiology, Qujing Medical College, Qujing 655000, China
| | - Bei Li
- Institute of Pathogens and Vectors, Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Dali University, Dali 671000, China
| | - Ting Chen
- Institute of Pathogens and Vectors, Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Dali University, Dali 671000, China
| | - Dao-Chao Jin
- Institute of Entomology, Guizhou University, Guiyang, Guizhou 550025, China
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Greer RC, Kanthawang N, Roest J, Wangrangsimakul T, Parker M, Kelley M, Cheah PY. Vulnerability and agency in research participants' daily lives and the research encounter: A qualitative case study of participants taking part in scrub typhus research in northern Thailand. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0280056. [PMID: 36696400 PMCID: PMC9876277 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0280056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Researchers have a responsibility to protect all participants, especially vulnerable participants, from harm. Vulnerability is increasingly understood to be context specific, yet limited guidance is available regarding the vulnerability and agency of research participants in different cultural settings. This study aims to explore research participants' daily vulnerability and agency, and how these interact with participants' research experiences in their own words. Researchers' views and responses were also explored. METHODS A qualitative study was conducted around two scrub typhus research studies in northern Thailand. A thematic analysis was carried out on 42 semi-structured interviews with research participants, their families, researchers and key informants. RESULTS The majority of the research participants belonged to a hill tribe ethnic minority group. Common challenges were related to Thai language barriers, travel difficulties, uncertain legal status, unstable employment, lack of education and healthcare. We did not identify new vulnerabilities but we found that the extent of these vulnerabilities might be underestimated or even hidden from researchers in some cases. Despite these challenges people demonstrated agency in their daily lives and were often motivated and supported in this by family members. The majority of perceived research benefits were related to healthcare and gaining knowledge, while attending follow-up visits could be a burden for some. CONCLUSIONS Our approach to research in culturally and socioeconomically diverse settings should be more responsive to participants' specific vulnerabilities and abilities evidenced in their daily life, rather than attributing vulnerability on the basis of membership of pre-defined 'vulnerable groups'. Researchers need to be aware and responsive towards the challenges participants face locally in order to minimise the burdens of research participation whilst allowing participants to benefit from research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel C. Greer
- Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Nipaphan Kanthawang
- Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Jennifer Roest
- Wellcome Centre for Ethics & Humanities, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- The Ethox Centre, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Tri Wangrangsimakul
- Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Michael Parker
- Wellcome Centre for Ethics & Humanities, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- The Ethox Centre, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Maureen Kelley
- Wellcome Centre for Ethics & Humanities, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- The Ethox Centre, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Phaik Yeong Cheah
- Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- The Ethox Centre, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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11
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Alam AM, Gillespie CS, Goodall J, Damodar T, Turtle L, Vasanthapuram R, Solomon T, Michael BD. Neurological manifestations of scrub typhus infection: A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical features and case fatality. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022; 16:e0010952. [PMID: 36441812 PMCID: PMC9731453 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Scrub typhus has become a leading cause of central nervous system (CNS) infection in endemic regions. As a treatable condition, prompt recognition is vital. However, few studies have focused on describing the symptomology and outcomes of neurological scrub typhus infection. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to report the clinical features and case fatality ratio (CFR) in patients with CNS scrub typhus infection. METHODS A search and analysis plan was published in PROSPERO [ID 328732]. A systematic search of PubMed and Scopus was performed and studies describing patients with CNS manifestations of proven scrub typhus infection were included. The outcomes studied were weighted pooled prevalence (WPP) of clinical features during illness and weighted CFR. RESULTS Nineteen studies with 1,221 (656 adults and 565 paediatric) patients were included. The most common clinical features in CNS scrub typhus were those consistent with non-specific acute encephalitis syndromes (AES), such as fever (WPP 100.0% [99.5%-100.0%, I2 = 47.8%]), altered sensorium (67.4% [54.9-78.8%, I2 = 93.3%]), headache (65.0% [51.5-77.6%, I2 = 95.1%]) and neck stiffness 56.6% (29.4-80.4%, I2 = 96.3%). Classical features of scrub typhus were infrequently identified; an eschar was found in only 20.8% (9.8%-34.3%, I2 = 95.4%) and lymphadenopathy in 24.1% (95% CI 11.8% - 38.9%, I2 = 87.8%). The pooled CFR (95% CI) was 3.6% (1.5%- 6.4%, I2 = 67.3%). Paediatric cohorts had a CFR of 6.1% (1.9-12.1%, I2 = 77%) whilst adult cohorts reported 2.6% (0.7-5.3%, I2 = 43%). CONCLUSION Our meta-analyses illustrate that 3.6% of patients with CNS manifestations of scrub typhus die. Clinicians should have a high index of suspicion for scrub typhus in patients presenting with AES in endemic regions and consider starting empiric treatment whilst awaiting results of investigations, even in the absence of classical signs such as an eschar or lymphadenopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali M. Alam
- Department of Clinical Infection Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Infection, Veterinary, and Ecological Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- Barts Health NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Conor S. Gillespie
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Jack Goodall
- Tropical & Infectious Disease Unit, Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Tina Damodar
- Department of Neurovirology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, India
| | - Lance Turtle
- Tropical & Infectious Disease Unit, Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- The Pandemic Institute, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- The NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Emerging and Zoonotic Infections, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Ravi Vasanthapuram
- Department of Neurovirology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, India
| | - Tom Solomon
- The Pandemic Institute, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- The NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Emerging and Zoonotic Infections, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Benedict D. Michael
- Department of Clinical Infection Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Infection, Veterinary, and Ecological Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- The NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Emerging and Zoonotic Infections, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- Department of Neurology, The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, United Kingdom
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12
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Qian L, Wang Y, Wei X, Liu P, Magalhaes RJS, Qian Q, Peng H, Wen L, Xu Y, Sun H, Yin W, Zhang W. Epidemiological characteristics and spatiotemporal patterns of scrub typhus in Fujian province during 2012–2020. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022; 16:e0010278. [PMID: 36174105 PMCID: PMC9553047 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Scrub typhus has become a serious public health concern in the Asia-Pacific region including China. There were new natural foci continuously recognized and dramatically increased reported cases in mainland China. However, the epidemiological characteristics and spatiotemporal patterns of scrub typhus in Fujian province have yet to be investigated. Objective This study proposes to explore demographic characteristics and spatiotemporal dynamics of scrub typhus cases in Fujian province, and to detect high-risk regions between January 2012 and December 2020 at county/district scale and thereby help in devising public health strategies to improve scrub typhus prevention and control measures. Method Monthly cases of scrub typhus reported at the county level in Fujian province during 2012–2020 were collected from the National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System. Time-series analyses, spatial autocorrelation analyses and space-time scan statistics were applied to identify and visualize the spatiotemporal patterns of scrub typhus cases in Fujian province. The demographic differences of scrub typhus cases from high-risk and low-risk counties in Fujian province were also compared. Results A total of 11,859 scrub typhus cases reported in 87 counties from Fujian province were analyzed and the incidence showed an increasing trend from 2012 (2.31 per 100,000) to 2020 (3.20 per 100,000) with a peak in 2018 (4.59 per 100,000). There existed two seasonal peaks in June-July and September-October every year in Fujian province. A significant positive spatial autocorrelation of scrub typhus incidence in Fujian province was observed with Moran’s I values ranging from 0.258 to 0.471 (P<0.001). Several distinct spatiotemporal clusters mainly concentrated in north and southern parts of Fujian province. Compared to low-risk regions, a greater proportion of cases were female, farmer, and older residents in high-risk counties. Conclusions These results demonstrate a clear spatiotemporal heterogeneity of scrub typhus cases in Fujian province, and provide the evidence in directing future researches on risk factors and effectively assist local health authorities in the refinement of public health interventions against scrub typhus transmission in the high risk regions. Scrub typhus is a vector-borne zoonotic disease caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi and is popular in the Asia-Pacific area. Nowadays scrub typhus has been recognized as a considerable burden on public health in Fujian province. We explored the epidemiological characteristics, spatiotemporal patterns and diffusion characteristics of scrub typhus, and detected high-risk regions at the county level in Fujian province between January 2012 and December 2020. Our results indicated that the majority of cases were reported in June-July and September-October and that that middle aged and elderly people were more prone to infection every year in Fujian province. The spatial autocorrelation analysis revealed clustering in geographic distribution of cases and several distinct spatiotemporal clusters were identified in north and southern parts of Fujian province. Compared with cases from low-risk areas, a higher proportion of cases were female, farmer, and older residents in high-risk counties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Qian
- Department of Health Statistics, College of Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chinese PLA Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Yong Wang
- Chinese PLA Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Xianyu Wei
- Chinese PLA Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Ping Liu
- Department of General Practice, Chinese PLA General Hospital-Sixth Medical Center, Beijing, China
| | - Ricardo J. Soares Magalhaes
- Spatial Epidemiology Laboratory, School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
- Child Health Research Center, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Quan Qian
- Chinese PLA Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Hong Peng
- Chinese PLA Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Liang Wen
- Chinese PLA Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Yuanyong Xu
- Chinese PLA Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Hailong Sun
- Chinese PLA Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Wenwu Yin
- Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
- * E-mail: (WY); (WZ)
| | - Wenyi Zhang
- Chinese PLA Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
- * E-mail: (WY); (WZ)
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13
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Kala D, Sharma TK, Gupta S, Saini RV, Saini AK, Alsanie WF, Thakur VK, Kaushal A. Development of paper-based DNA sensor for detection of O. tsutsugamushi using sustainable GQDs@AuNPs nanocomposite. Chemosphere 2022; 300:134428. [PMID: 35395271 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.134428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The graphene quantum dots (GQDs) was synthesized using potato starch and water by hydrothermal method and further used for reduction of tetracholoroauric acid to form graphene quantum dots-gold (GQDs@AuNPs) nanocomposite. The GQDs/GQDs@AuNPs were analyzed using FTIR, UV-Vis, Flourometry and HR-TEM. The synthesized GQDs@AuNPs were further used for fabrication of cost-effective screen-printed paper electrode (SPPE) based DNA sensor for the detection of O. tsutsugamushi using htrA gene specific 5'NH2 linked DNA probe. Modification of SPPE using GQDs@AuNPs nanocomposite and ssDNA probe was monitored using EIS, FTIR, FE-SEM and AFM. The sensor detection limit (LOD) was assessed as 0.002 ng/μl from the standard calibration curve with the correlation coefficient, R2 = 0.993. The sensitivity of the DNA sensor was calculated as 7700 μA/cm2/ng for ssGDNA of O. tsutsugamushi using cyclic voltammetry. The sensor validation was done using scrub typhus patient's blood DNA samples. The sensor showed good storage stability at 4 °C for six months with just a loss of 12% of the initial current values. The SPPE/DNA sensor developed is very specific, sensitive, stable and detects O. tsutsugamushi in less time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepak Kala
- Amity Center of Nanotechnology, Amity University, Haryana, 122413, India; Department of Biotechnology Engineering and Food Technology, Chandigarh University, Mohali, 140413, India
| | - Tarun Kumar Sharma
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Gujarat Biotechnology University (GBU), Gujarat International Finance and Tec (GIFT) City. Gandhinagar, Gujarat, 382355, India
| | - Shagun Gupta
- Department of Biotechnology, Maharishi Markandeshwar University, Mullana, Ambala, 134003, India
| | - Reena V Saini
- Department of Biotechnology, Maharishi Markandeshwar University, Mullana, Ambala, 134003, India
| | - Adesh K Saini
- Department of Biotechnology, Maharishi Markandeshwar University, Mullana, Ambala, 134003, India
| | - Walaa F Alsanie
- Department of Clinical Laboratories Sciences, The Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif, 21944, Saudi Arabia
| | - Vijay Kumar Thakur
- Biorefining and Advances Materials Research Centre, SRUC (Scotland's Rural College), Kings Buildings, Edinburgh, EH9 3JG, UK; School of Engineering, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES), Dehradun, 248007, India
| | - Ankur Kaushal
- Amity Center of Nanotechnology, Amity University, Haryana, 122413, India; Department of Biotechnology, Maharishi Markandeshwar University, Mullana, Ambala, 134003, India.
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14
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Chen YL, Guo XG, Ren TG, Zhang L, Fan R, Zhao CF, Zhang ZW, Mao KY, Huang XB, Qian TJ. A Report of Chigger Mites on the Striped Field Mouse, Apodemus agrarius, in Southwest China. Korean J Parasitol 2021; 59:625-634. [PMID: 34974669 PMCID: PMC8721306 DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2021.59.6.625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Based on the field investigations in 91 investigation sites (counties) in southwest China between 2001 and 2019, the present paper reported the chigger mites on A. agrarius mice in southwest China for the first time by using a series of statistical methods. From 715 striped field mice captured in 28 of 91 investigated sites, only 255 chiggers were collected, and they were identified as 14 species, 6 genera in 3 subfamilies under 2 families. Of 715 A. agrarius mice, only 24 of them were infested with chigger mites with low overall prevalence (PM=3.4%), overall mean abundance (MA=0.36 mites/host) and overall mean intensity (MI=10.63 mites/host). The species diversity and infestation of chiggers on A. agrarius were much lower than those previously reported on some other rodents in southwest China. On a certain species of rodent, A. agrarius mouse in southwest China seems to have a very low susceptibility to chigger infestations than in other geographical regions. Of 14 chigger species, there were 3 dominant species, Leptotrombidium sialkotense, L. rupestre and Schoengastiella novoconfuciana, which were of aggregated distribution among different individuals of A. agrarius hosts. L. sialkotense, one of 6 main vectors of scrub typhus in China, was the first dominant on A. agrarius. The species similarity of chigger mites on male and female hosts was low with CSS=0.25, and this reflects the sex-bias of different genders of A. agrarius mice in harboring different chigger species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Ling Chen
- Institute of Pathogens and Vectors, Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Dali University, Dali, Yunnan, 671000,
China
| | - Xian-Guo Guo
- Institute of Pathogens and Vectors, Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Dali University, Dali, Yunnan, 671000,
China
- Corresponding author ()
| | - Tian-Guang Ren
- Nursing College of Dali University, Dali, Yunnan, 671000,
China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Institute of Pathogens and Vectors, Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Dali University, Dali, Yunnan, 671000,
China
| | - Rong Fan
- Institute of Pathogens and Vectors, Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Dali University, Dali, Yunnan, 671000,
China
| | - Cheng-Fu Zhao
- Institute of Pathogens and Vectors, Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Dali University, Dali, Yunnan, 671000,
China
| | - Zhi-Wei Zhang
- Institute of Pathogens and Vectors, Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Dali University, Dali, Yunnan, 671000,
China
| | - Ke-Yu Mao
- Institute of Pathogens and Vectors, Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Dali University, Dali, Yunnan, 671000,
China
| | - Xiao-Bin Huang
- Institute of Pathogens and Vectors, Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Dali University, Dali, Yunnan, 671000,
China
| | - Ti-Jun Qian
- Institute of Pathogens and Vectors, Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Control and Prevention, Dali University, Dali, Yunnan, 671000,
China
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15
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Ernieenor FCL, NorJaiza MJ, Fadillah A, Canedy J, Mariana A. Screening and genotyping of Orientia tsutsugamushi from field-collected on-host chiggers (Acari: Prostigmata) recovered from a positive scrub typhus locality in Kelantan, Malaysia. Exp Appl Acarol 2021; 84:171-182. [PMID: 33826009 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-021-00609-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Orientia tsutsugamushi is the causative agent of scrub typhus vectored by larval stages of trombiculid mites (chiggers) that occur in most tropical regions of Southeast Asia. A total of 242 chiggers extracted from eight small mammals captured from a positive scrub typhus locality in Kelantan, Malaysia, were screened for the presence of O. tsutsugamushi. The chiggers were grouped in 16 pools for extraction of DNA prior to screening of O. tsutsugamushi based on the nucleotide sequence of 56-kDa type specific antigen (TSA) gene using nested polymerase chain reaction. Two species of on-host chiggers were identified, the one, Leptotrombidium deliense, much more dominant (94.8%) than the other, Ascoshoengastia sp. (5.2%). The pathogen was detected in two pools (12.5%) of L. deliense recovered from Rattus rattus and Tupaia sp. The 56-kDa TSA gene sequence analysis revealed the O. tsutsugamushi harboured in those chiggers were Karp prototype strain with high similarity (99.3%). Findings of this study strongly supported the existence of scrub typhus infections in certain parts of Malaysia which agrees with previous local reports. Moreover, this study highlighted the pressing need of a large-scale close observation of O. tsutsugamushi DNA sequences from chiggers that can probably be collected from other positive scrub typhus localities to precisely provide the distribution and prevalence of this zoonotic pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- F C L Ernieenor
- Infectious Diseases Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research (IMR), National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Acarology Unit, Jalan Setia Murni U13/52, Seksyen U13, Setia Alam, 40170, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia.
| | - M J NorJaiza
- Disease Control Division, Entomology and Pest Unit, Kelantan State Health Department, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Jalan Mahmood, 15200, Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia
| | - A Fadillah
- Infectious Diseases Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research (IMR), National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Acarology Unit, Jalan Setia Murni U13/52, Seksyen U13, Setia Alam, 40170, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - J Canedy
- Infectious Diseases Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research (IMR), National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Acarology Unit, Jalan Setia Murni U13/52, Seksyen U13, Setia Alam, 40170, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - A Mariana
- Infectious Diseases Research Centre, Institute for Medical Research (IMR), National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Acarology Unit, Jalan Setia Murni U13/52, Seksyen U13, Setia Alam, 40170, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
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16
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Arun Babu T, Narayanasamy DK. Drug therapy in Pediatric Scrub Typhus - Is 'not Giving Azithromycin' a Risk Factor for PICU Admission? J Nepal Health Res Counc 2021; 18:812. [PMID: 33510538 DOI: 10.33314/jnhrc.v18i4.3121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Thirunavukkarasu Arun Babu
- Department of Pediatrics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Mangalagiri, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | - Dinesh Kumar Narayanasamy
- Department of Pediatrics, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Karaikal, India
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17
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Affiliation(s)
- Tri Wangrangsimakul
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Weerawat Phuklia
- Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital–Wellcome Trust Research Unit, Microbiology Laboratory, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic
| | - Paul N Newton
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital–Wellcome Trust Research Unit, Microbiology Laboratory, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic
| | - Allen L Richards
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Biostatistics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Nicholas P J Day
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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Bhat NK, Pandita N, Dhar M. Scrub Typhus Eschar. Indian Pediatr 2020; 57:93. [PMID: 31937716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Nowneet Kumar Bhat
- Department of Pediatrics, Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences and SRH University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India.
| | - Neerul Pandita
- Department of Pediatrics, Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences and SRH University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Minakshi Dhar
- Department of Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India
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Reddy PSK, Kamath V, Bindu H. Study of Scrub Typhus in Rural Bangalore. J Assoc Physicians India 2020; 68:94. [PMID: 31979888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Hima Bindu
- MVJ medical college and research hospital
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Majumder D, Mukhopadhyay P, Roychowdhury S. A study on clinical features and treatment outcome of scrub typhus a re-emerging disease in a tertiary care hospital in eastern India. J Assoc Physicians India 2020; 68:94. [PMID: 31979881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Devjit Majumder
- Ramakrishna Mission Seva Pratisthan, Vivekanenda Institute of Medical Sciences
| | | | - Sujoy Roychowdhury
- Ramakrishna Mission Seva Pratisthan, Vivekanenda Institute of Medical Sciences
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Mehta S, Sharma N, Goyal LK, Gulati S, Chand T, Nag OP, Patel S. Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis in a Patient of Scrub Typhus. J Assoc Physicians India 2019; 67:80-81. [PMID: 31559779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare but aggressive and potentially fatal condition characterized by excessive immune activation. It can occur as primary/ familial and secondary/sporadic/ acquired form. Infections can play a role as triggers in the secondary form of HLH. A case of Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) in a patient of Scrub typhus is being reported here. Such association of scrub typhus and HLH is rare.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Tara Chand
- Resident, Department of Medicine, SMS Medical College, Jaipur, Rajasthan
| | - Om Prakash Nag
- Resident, Department of Medicine, SMS Medical College, Jaipur, Rajasthan
| | - Sahdev Patel
- Resident, Department of Medicine, SMS Medical College, Jaipur, Rajasthan
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Kumar R, Thakur S, Bhawani R, Kanga A, Ranjan A. Factors for Severe Outcome in Scrub Typhus: A Hospital Based Study in Sub Himalayan Region. J Assoc Physicians India 2018; 66:36-38. [PMID: 30477051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Scrub typhus is a re-emerging zoonotic rickettsial infection. Mortality is approximately 15% in some areas due to missed or delayed diagnosis. There had been only few studies on the markers for the severity of the disease, so this study has been planned to provide the knowledge regarding various aspects of scrub typhus in adult age group to detect early signs of severity . METHODS All the patients more than 18 years of age admitted with febrile illness with positive IgM ELISA for scrub typhus with or without eschar were included in the study. The clinical profile was observed. The predictors of mortality were explored using univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS On linear regression analysis and logistic regression analysis altered sensorium, low serum albumin, hepatic dysfunction, renal dysfunction, septic shock, MODS, ARDS, duration of fever > 7 days, day of receiving treatment > 7 days at presentation were significantly associated with high in- hospital mortality. CONCLUSIONS Early treatment with doxycycline should be instituted at the clinical suspicion of scrub pending investigation as it is life saving. Close follow up of the patient should be done to indentify subtle signs of organ dysfunction to start early supportive treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Anil Kanga
- Professor, Department of Microbiology, IGMC, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh
| | - Asha Ranjan
- Professor, Department of Microbiology, IGMC, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh
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Viswanathan S. Scrub Typhus Meningitis Versus Acute Bacterial Meningitis and Tuberculous Meningitis. Indian Pediatr 2018; 55:25-26. [PMID: 29396931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Stalin Viswanathan
- Department of General Medicine, Indira Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, Kathirkamam, Puducherry, India.
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Shelite TR, Saito TB, Mendell NL, Gong B, Xu G, Soong L, Valbuena G, Bouyer DH, Walker DH. Hematogenously disseminated Orientia tsutsugamushi-infected murine model of scrub typhus [corrected]. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2014; 8:e2966. [PMID: 25010338 PMCID: PMC4091938 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0002966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2014] [Accepted: 05/24/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Orientia tsutsugamushi, the etiologic agent of scrub typhus, is a mite-borne rickettsia transmitted by the parasitic larval stage of trombiculid mites. Approximately one-third of the world's population is at risk of infection with Orientia tsutsugamushi, emphasizing its importance in global health. In order to study scrub typhus, Orientia tsutsugamushi Karp strain has been used extensively in mouse studies with various inoculation strategies and little success in inducing disease progression similar to that of human scrub typhus. The objective of this project was to develop a disease model with pathology and target cells similar to those of severe human scrub typhus. This study reports an intravenous infection model of scrub typhus in C57BL/6 mice. This mouse strain was susceptible to intravenous challenge, and lethal infection occurred after intravenous inoculation of 1.25×106 focus (FFU) forming units. Signs of illness in lethally infected mice appeared on day 6 with death occurring ∼6 days later. Immunohistochemical staining for Orientia antigens demonstrated extensive endothelial infection, most notably in the lungs and brain. Histopathological analysis revealed cerebral perivascular, lymphohistiocytic infiltrates, focal hemorrhages, meningoencephalitis, and interstitial pneumonia. Disseminated infection of endothelial cells with Orientia in C57BL/6 mice resulted in pathology resembling that of human scrub typhus. The use of this model will allow detailed characterization of the mechanisms of immunity to and pathogenesis of O. tsutsugamushi infection. Scrub typhus is a disease found in Southeast Asia that infects over 1 million people each year. This disease is caused by the intracellular pathogen Orientia tsutsugamushi transmitted by the bite of chigger mites. Scrub typhus is characterized by pulmonary disease and in severe cases, multiorgan system failure. The current research model utilizes an intraperitoneal route of inoculation of mice to study the host response to Orientia infection. Infection via this route results in severe peritonitis that does not occur in human scrub typhus. The development of animal models that accurately portray human disease is an important step toward understanding and managing disease. In this manuscript we describe a new mouse model that results in scrub typhus-like pathology following intravenous inoculation of mice. This model presents dose-dependent mortality with scrub typhus-like pathology that parallels human disease. Utilization of this model will provide a valuable research tool for characterizing the immune response and pathogenesis induced by O. tsutsugamushi allowing development of better treatment and an effective vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas R. Shelite
- Department of Pathology, Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Center for Tropical Diseases, Sealy Center for Vaccine Development, Institute of Human Infections and Immunity, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Tais B. Saito
- Department of Pathology, Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Center for Tropical Diseases, Sealy Center for Vaccine Development, Institute of Human Infections and Immunity, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Nicole L. Mendell
- Department of Pathology, Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Center for Tropical Diseases, Sealy Center for Vaccine Development, Institute of Human Infections and Immunity, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Bin Gong
- Department of Pathology, Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Center for Tropical Diseases, Sealy Center for Vaccine Development, Institute of Human Infections and Immunity, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Guang Xu
- Department of Pathology, Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Center for Tropical Diseases, Sealy Center for Vaccine Development, Institute of Human Infections and Immunity, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Lynn Soong
- Department of Pathology, Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Center for Tropical Diseases, Sealy Center for Vaccine Development, Institute of Human Infections and Immunity, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Gustavo Valbuena
- Department of Pathology, Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Center for Tropical Diseases, Sealy Center for Vaccine Development, Institute of Human Infections and Immunity, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Donald H. Bouyer
- Department of Pathology, Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Center for Tropical Diseases, Sealy Center for Vaccine Development, Institute of Human Infections and Immunity, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - David H. Walker
- Department of Pathology, Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Center for Tropical Diseases, Sealy Center for Vaccine Development, Institute of Human Infections and Immunity, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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PHILIP CB, WOODWARD TE, SULLIVAN RR. Tsutsugamushi disease (scrub or mite-borne typhus) in the Philippine Islands during American re-occupation in 1944-45. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2010; 26:229-42. [PMID: 21020342 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.1946.s1-26.229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
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RIGHTS FL, SMADEL JE. Studies on scrib typhus; tsutsugamushi disease; heterogenicity of strains of R. tsutsugamushi as demonstrated by cross-vaccination studies. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2008; 87:339-51. [PMID: 18904219 PMCID: PMC2135778 DOI: 10.1084/jem.87.4.339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Antigenic differences among strains of R. tsutsugamushi are sufficiently great that vaccines prepared from certain strains fail to induce resistance in mice to infection with other strains. Although the results of cross-vaccination tests indicate varying degrees of relationship between a number of the strains, there is no correlation between source of the rickettsia and antigenic pattern of the agent.
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Kim HC, Klein TA, Chong ST, Collier BW, Usa M, Yi SC, Song KJ, Baek LJ, Song JW. Seroepidemiological Survey of Rodents Collected at a U.S. Military Installation, Yongsan Garrison, Seoul, Republic of Korea. Mil Med 2007; 172:759-64. [PMID: 17691691 DOI: 10.7205/milmed.172.7.759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
A seroepidemiological study of selected rodent-borne diseases (hantavirus [Seoul [SEO] virus], scrub typhus [Orientia tsutsugamushi], murine typhus [Rickettsia typhi], and leptospirosis [Leptospira interrogans]), as part of the U.S. military rodent surveillance and control program, was conducted from 2001 through 2005 at Yongsan Garrison, Seoul, Republic of Korea. Rodents were collected to determine the prevalence of rodent-borne diseases at a U.S. military installation in an urban environment. A total of 1,750 rodents representing three species was collected by using baited live traps (Tomahawk), glue boards, and poison baits (dead rodents observed but not assayed). The Norway rat, Rattus norvegicus (99.8%), accounted for nearly all of the rodents captured/observed. Only three roof rats, Rattus rattus (0.2%), and one house mouse, Mus musculus (<0.1%), were collected. R. norvegicus rats were the only rodents that were serologically positive for SEO virus (9.6%), scrub typhus (2.8%), murine typhus (3.8%), and leptospirosis (4.6%). One of six rodents that were positive for SEO virus by immunofluorescent antibody test was positive for SEO virus antigen by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Infection rates for SEO virus, scrub typhus, murine typhus, and leptospirosis varied annually. Rodents were captured from 228 (20.7%) of 1,104 total buildings in Yongsan Garrison. The Yongsan commissary had the highest annual infestation rate (22 rodents per year), followed by Commisky's Club (18 rodents per year). Annual infestation rates were high for food service facilities, which often store perishable food products outdoors for short periods of time, attracting rodent populations; refuse from these facilities provides harborage and food for rodents. The effect of rodent populations outside the boundary of Yongsan Garrison was not determined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heung-Chul Kim
- 5th Medical Detachment, 168th Medical Battalion, 18th Medical Command, Unit 15247, APO AP 96205-5247
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Zhang Q, Liu YX, Wu XM, Zhao QM, Zhang PH, Yang H, Cao WC. [Investigation on rodents' natural infection of Orientia tsutsugamushi in some areas of Inner Mongolia and Xinjiang, China]. Zhonghua Liu Xing Bing Xue Za Zhi 2006; 27:475-8. [PMID: 17152505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate rodents' natural infection of Orientia tsutsugamushi (Ot) in some areas of Inner Mongolia and Xinjiang, China. METHODS DNAs were extracted from spleens of the captured mice and nested-polymerase chain reaction (nPCR) technique was used to detect the Ot-Sta56 gene. Six positive samples were sequenced and analyzed by Clustal X (5.0) and DNA Club software. RESULTS A total of 90 rodents were captured in Inner Mongolia, and the overall prevalence of Ot was 6.67%. There was no significant difference in infection rates among the positive rodents species. 20 rodents were captured in Xinjiang, and the prevalence of Ot was 5.00%. The geographical difference in infection rates was not statistically significant between Inner Mongolia and Xinjiang. 9 rodents were captured in farmlands of Inner Mongolia and Xinjiang but there was no positive samples found. 101 rodents were captured in grasslands, and the prevalence of Ot was 6.93%. The Sta56 gene nucleotide sequence homology to Karp strain of N59 (from Microtus maximowiczii), N69 (from Cricetulus barabensis) and X33(from Cricetus cricetus) was 99%. The sequence homology to Taitung-2 strain and TW461 strain of N65 (from C. barabensis) was 94%, and the sequence homology to Taitung-2 strain and TW461 strain of N88(from Apodemus agrarius) was also 94%. The sequence homology to Oishi strain of N90 (from A. agrarius) was 96.00%. CONCLUSION Our findings indicated that infections of Ot did exist in rodents captured from Inner Mongolia and Xinjiang. The genotypes of Ot in Inner Mongolia and Xinjiang were quite complex, with some of them belonged to Karp type, and the others belonged to Taitung-2, TW461 and Oishi types which providing evidence for further investigation on the scrub typhus fuci in the two areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing 100071, China
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Deng XZ, Xu K, Kong J, Diao ZY, Qian JY, Tan YF, Zhang M, Cao GW, Zhang Y. [Study on the coinfection of Hantavirus and Orientia tsutsugamushi in tissue cell culture]. Zhonghua Liu Xing Bing Xue Za Zhi 2006; 27:518-21. [PMID: 17152514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the possibility of Hantavirus (HV) and Orientia tsutsugamushi (Ot) coinfection in their hosts. METHODS HV and Ot were used to infect Vero E6 cells cultured in vitro singly, simultaneously or successively. Genes of HV and Ot were identified in different generation cells with RT-PCR. RESULTS Five experiment groups of infected Vero E6 cells were tested, the results were as follows: HV and Ot were both positive in infected Vero E6 cells passaged 2 times and the positive rate increased following the passaged times in HV and Ot infection groups, simultaneously or successively. However, in the groups which were infected with HV and Ot separately, the gene of HV or Ot could be detected in infected Vero E6 cells passaged only once and the positive rate increased following the times of the passaged. The positive rate was higher in the singly infected groups than in those infected simultaneously or successively. CONCLUSION Coinfection of HV and Ot did exist in the hosts while HV and Ot could inhibit each other in the initial infection stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-zhao Deng
- The Institute of Military Medicine, Nanjing Command, Nanjing 210002, China
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SMADEL JE, LEY HL, DIERCKS FH, PATERSON PY, WISSEMAN CL, TRAUB R. Immunization against scrub typhus: duration of immunity in volunteers following combined living vaccine and chemoprophylaxis. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2004; 1:87-99. [PMID: 14903439 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.1952.1.87] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
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Yamane T, Arai T, Yamami A, Morio T, Takao K, Morio K, Kuwata S, Matsuzaki K, Nakamura T. [Two cases of rickettsiosis--the clinical characteristics of Japanese spotted fever and tsutsugamushi disease]. Nihon Naika Gakkai Zasshi 2002; 91:746-8. [PMID: 11917502 DOI: 10.2169/naika.91.746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Takamichi Yamane
- Third Department of Internal Medicine, Teikyo University School of Medicine, Ichihara
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Song HJ, Kim KH, Kim SC, Hong SS, Ree HI. [Population density of chigger mites, the vector of tsutsugamushi disease in Chollanam-do, Korea]. Korean J Parasitol 1996; 34:27-33. [PMID: 8820739 DOI: 10.3347/kjp.1996.34.1.27] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
The geographical distribution and population density of rodents and chigger mites at six localities of Chollanam-do were investigated from October to December in 1993. Among total 142 field rodents collected by the modified Chemla wooden traps, 131 rodents were Apodemus agrarius (92.3%) and 11 were Crocidura lasiura (7.7%). Out of 142 field rodents, 92 were parasitized by chiggers, showing 69.0% of the infestation rate and 74.2 of the chigger index. Infestation rate and chigger index of A. agrarius and C. lasiura were 73.3%, 80.4 and 18.2%, 0.5, respectively. From the trapped field rodents, 10,532 chiggers were collected and identified with 11 species of 4 genera. Leptotrombidium pallidum, the vector species of tsutsugamushi disease, was the dominant species, showing 8,038 chiggers (76.3%). L. scutellare was the second dominant species showing 1,359 chiggers (12.9%). The distribution of chigger mites was clearly localized by the species, showing the different dominant species according to localities. The predominant species was L. scutellare (100%) in Changhung-gun, L. scutellare (41.5%) in Posong-gun, L. pallidum (88.8%) in Hwasun-gun, L. pallidum (59.2%) in Koksong-gun, L. zetum (77.3%) in Hampyong-gun, and L. palpale (63.4%) in Tamyang-gun. Regarding to the geographical distribution of chigger population density, the infestation rate and chigger index was most high in Hwasun-gun as 62.4% and 216.2 respectively, and next high in Koksong-gun as 22.4% and 77.7% respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- H J Song
- Division of Microbiology, Health and Environment Institute of Chollanam-do, Kwang-ju, Korea
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Friedman M. Lt. Col. Theodore E. Woodward, M.C. Md Med J 1995; 44:872; 977-8. [PMID: 8538394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
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Ridgway RL, Oaks SC, LaBarre DD. Laboratory animal models for human scrub typhus. Lab Anim Sci 1986; 36:481-5. [PMID: 3534444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
A wide variety of animals have been utilized in an attempt to provide the information necessary to bring scrub typhus to the point where it is no longer a threat to man. The laboratory mouse is usually the animal of choice for the study of this disease. The discovery that certain strains of inbred mice are genetically resistant to Rickettsia tsutsugamushi, the agent of scrub typhus, has opened new avenues in the study of the immune response to the disease. The cynomolgus monkey, Macaca fascicularis, appears to be the best animal model for the study of scrub typhus as it occurs in humans and should be useful in the development of an efficacious vaccine.
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Riley HD. Rickettsial diseases and Rocky Mountain spotted fever--Part II. Curr Probl Pediatr 1981; 11:1-38. [PMID: 7016457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
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Nadchatram M, Dohany AL. Leptotrombidium (Leptotrombidium) Umbricola, new species, a probable vector of scrub typhus in Peninsular Malaysia. Jpn J Med Sci Biol 1980; 33:277-82. [PMID: 7300039 DOI: 10.7883/yoken1952.33.277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Leptotrombidium (Leptotrombidium) umbricola, described here as a new species, is a member of the L. (L.) deliense group and most closely resembles L. (L.) vivericola. L. (L.) umbricola was collected from the ground surface and from animal hosts, in similar habitats to the scrub typhus vector, L. (L.) deliense. The host and habitat distribution records and the Rickettsia tsutsugamushi infection rates within unengorged specimens suggest that L. (L.) umbricola may be an important vector of scrub typhus in Peninsular Malaysia.
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Dohany AL, Shirai A, Lim BL, Huxsoll DL. Variation in populations of chigger vectors of scrub typhus in developing oil palm areas of different ages. Jpn J Med Sci Biol 1980; 33:263-70. [PMID: 7300038 DOI: 10.7883/yoken1952.33.263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
The populations of scrub typhus vector chiggers were compared in two developing oil palm areas, one 5 years old and the other 7 years old at the inception of the study. Both areas were located within the same oil palm scheme in central Peninsular Malaysia. Leptotrombidium (L.) deliense, a principal vector of scrub typhus in Malaysia, was found in reduced numbers in the older oil palm habitat. This reduction is attributed to changes in the microhabitat, specifically the elimination of grasses between the oil palm trees due to canopy shading and to cultural practices.
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