A longitudinal molecular surveillance of genetic heterogeneity of <i>Orientia tsutsugamushi</i> in humans, reservoir animals, and vectors in Puducherry, India.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Scrub typhus (ST), is a vector borne zoonotic disease, transmitted by the larva of the trombiculid mites. The enzootic cycle of the pathogen involves rodents/shrews as the animal reservoirs and humans are the accidental dead-end host. A transposon-like activity in its major antigen 56 kDa, has led to the evolution of several serotypes/strains, and more than 40 serotypes are reported globally. Puducherry, India, is endemic to scrub, but limited data exist on local serotype distribution across hosts and vectors.

Methodology

A longitudinal molecular surveillance was conducted in Puducherry to investigate the genetic diversity of Orientia tsutsugamushi among humans, animal reservoirs, and vectors. Samples from febrile patients, trapped rodents/shrews, and their

SUBMITTER: Sihag KK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12425938 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature