Molecular detection of Orientia tsutsugamushi in ectoparasites & their small mammal hosts captured from scrub typhus endemic areas in Madurai district, India.

ABSTRACT:

Background objectives

Scrub typhus, caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi present in small mammals harbouring the ectoparasites. A study was undertaken to detect the pathogen present in small mammals and its ectoparasites in the scrub typhus-reported areas.

Methods

The small mammals (rodents/shrews) and its ectoparasites were screened for O. tsutsugamushi using nested PCR amplification of the groEL gene. Small mammals were collected by trapping and screened for ectoparasites (mites, ticks and fleas) by combing method.

Results

All the chigger mites collected were tested negative for O. tsutsugamushi . Interestingly, adult non-trombiculid mites ( Oribatida sp., Dermanyssus gallinae ), fleas ( Xenopsylla astia, X. cheopis, Ctenophalides felis and Ctenophalides sp.) and ticks

SUBMITTER: Govindarajan R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11050748 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature