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D'Cruz S, Sreedevi K, Lynette C, Gunasekaran K, Prakash JAJ. Climate influences scrub typhus occurrence in Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India: analysis of a 15-year dataset. Sci Rep 2024; 14:1532. [PMID: 38233417 PMCID: PMC10794692 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-49333-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Climate is one of the major factors determining the prevalence and seasonality of vector borne diseases like scrub typhus (ST). We analyzed, the association of the meteorological factors like temperature, rainfall and humidity with scrub typhus using the 15 years scrub typhus data from a tertiary care hospital in Vellore, South India. Demographic data of permanent residents of Vellore, who had IgM ELISA results for scrub typhus for the time period of May 2005 to April 2020 were included. Meteorological data was correlated with the monthly scrub typhus cases; negative binomial regression model was used to predict the relation between scrub typhus occurrence and climate factors. Maximum number of ST cases were reported between the months August and February with October recording the highest number of cases. Elderly people, farmers, agricultural workers and housewives were at higher risk for scrub typhus. For an increase of 1 °C in mean temperature, the monthly ST cases reduced by 18.8% (95% CI - 24.1, - 13.2%). On the contrary, for 1 percent increase in mean relative humidity (RH), there is an increase of 7.6% (95% CI 5.4, 9.9%) of monthly ST cases. Similarly, an increase of 1 mm of rainfall contributed to 0.5 to 0.7% of monthly ST cases (after 2 months) depending on the variables included in the analysis. This study provides information that meteorological factors influence ST occurrence in Vellore. The rise of scrub typhus cases is maximal 2 months post rainfall. Whereas a rise in relative humidity, causes a rise in scrub typhus cases in same month, while rise in temperature has a negative impact on scrub typhus during the same month. These findings based on a retrospective analysis need validation by prospective studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Solomon D'Cruz
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India
| | - Kotamreddy Sreedevi
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India
| | - Cheryl Lynette
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India
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Tasak N, Apidechkul T, Law ACK, Abdad MY, Srichan P, Perrone C, Tanganuchitcharnchai A, Wongsantichon J, Blacksell SD. Prevalence of and factors associated with scrub typhus exposure among the hill tribe population living in high incidence areas in Thailand: a cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:2394. [PMID: 38041104 PMCID: PMC10693027 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-17313-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Scrub typhus is a significant tropical disease, occurring in rural settings and therefore usually afflicting remote agricultural populations who have lower socioeconomic status and limited access to medical care. A large proportion of the hill tribe people in Thailand are financially poor, have limited education, and do not have adequate health care access. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of and determine factors associated with scrub typhus exposure among the hill tribe population living in high-incidence areas in northern Thailand. METHODS A cross-sectional study design was used to gather information from hill tribe people aged 18 years and over living in ten hill tribe villages in Mae Fah Luang, Chiang Rai Province, Thailand. Participants who met the inclusion criteria were invited to participate in the study. A validated questionnaire was used as the research instrument, and 5 mL blood samples were taken. Orientia tsutsugamushi IgM and IgG antibodies were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and then confirmed by immunofluorescence assay (IFA). Logistic regression was used to detect associations between variables at a significance level of α = 0.05. RESULTS A total of 485 hill tribe people participated in the study; 57.1% were female, 29.9% were over 60 years of age, 46.4% were from the Akha tribe, and 74.2% had never attended school. The overall prevalence of scrub typhus exposure was 48.0%. In the multivariate model, five variables were found to be associated with scrub typhus exposure. Participants aged over 60 years had a 4.31-fold increased risk (95% CI = 1.73-10.72) of scrub typhus exposure compared to those who were younger than 30 years. Those who were illiterate had a 3.46-fold increased risk (95% CI = 1.93-6.21) of scrub typhus exposure than those who had at least a primary education level. Participants from the Akha tribe had a 2.20-fold increased risk (95% CI = 1.31-3.72) of scrub typhus exposure than those from the Lahu tribe. Subjects who had a history of cutting grass had a 1.85-fold increased risk (95% CI = 1.20-2.84) of scrub typhus exposure. Those who never wore gloves for farming had a 2.12-fold increased risk (95% CI = 1.28-3.49) of scrub typhus exposure than those who wore gloves daily. CONCLUSIONS There is a high prevalence of scrub typhus exposure among the hill tribe in Thailand. Effective public health interventions to promote scrub typhus awareness and prevention are urgently needed in these populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nidanuch Tasak
- School of Health Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, Thailand
- Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Tawatchai Apidechkul
- School of Health Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, Thailand.
- Center of Excellence, The Hill Tribe Health Research, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, Thailand.
| | - Andrew C K Law
- Department of Psychiatry, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland & University College Dublin, (Malaysia Campus), Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
| | - Mohammad Yazid Abdad
- Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Bangkok, Thailand
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Peeradone Srichan
- School of Health Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, Thailand
- Center of Excellence, The Hill Tribe Health Research, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, Thailand
| | - Carlo Perrone
- Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Bangkok, Thailand
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | | | - Stuart D Blacksell
- Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Bangkok, Thailand
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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Zangpo T, Phuentshok Y, Dorji K, Dorjee C, Dorjee S, Jolly P, Morris R, Marquetoux N, McKenzie J. Environmental, Occupational, and Demographic Risk Factors for Clinical Scrub Typhus, Bhutan. Emerg Infect Dis 2023; 29:909-918. [PMID: 37081000 PMCID: PMC10124658 DOI: 10.3201/eid2905.221430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Underdiagnosis and underreporting of scrub typhus has increasingly affected public health in Bhutan since its initial detection in 2008. Identifying scrub typhus risk factors would support early diagnosis and treatment for this nonspecific febrile disease, reducing the incidence of potentially fatal complications. We conducted a hospital-based, case‒control study during October‒December 2015 in 11 scrub typhus‒prone districts. We identified harvesting cardamom as the major risk factor (odds ratio 1,519; p<0.001); other factors were traditional housing, largely caused by an outside toilet location, as well as owning a goat and frequently sitting on grass. Harvesting vegetables, herding cattle in the forest, and female sex were protective. Age had a nonlinear effect; children and the elderly were more likely to seek treatment for clinical scrub typhus. This study has informed public health policies and awareness programs for healthcare workers through development of National Guidelines for Prevention, Treatment and Control of Scrub Typhus in Bhutan.
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Geography and prevalence of rickettsial infections in Northern Tamil Nadu, India: a cross-sectional study. Sci Rep 2022; 12:20798. [PMID: 36460687 PMCID: PMC9718799 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-21191-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Rickettsial infections and Q fever are a common cause of acute febrile illness globally. Data on the role of climate and altitude on the prevalence of these infections in lacking from Southern India. In this study, we determined the sero-prevalence of scrub typhus (ST), spotted fever (SF), murine typhus (MT) and Q Fever (QF) in 8 eight geographical regions of North Tamil Nadu by detecting IgG antibodies using ELISA. Totally we tested 2565 people from 86 localities. Among the 27.3% positives, approximately 5% were IgG positive for two or more infections. Sero-prevalence to rickettsioses and Q fever was highest for individuals from rural areas and increased with age (> 30 years). Those in the Nilgiris highlands (wetter and cooler) and Erode, which has the most land under irrigation, demonstrated the least exposure to rickettsioses and Q fever. Lowland plains (AOR: 8.4-22.9; 95% CI 3.1-55.3) and highland areas up to 1000 m (AOR: 6.1-10.3; 95% CI 2.4-23.9) showed the highest risk of exposure to scrub typhus. For spotted fever, the risk of exposure was highest in Jawadhi (AOR:10.8; 95% CI 2.6-44.3) and Kalrayan (AOR:16.6; 95% CI 4.1-66.2). Q fever positivity was most likely to be encountered in Salem (AOR: 5.60; 95% CI 1.01-31.08) and Kalrayan hills (AOR:12.3; 95% CI 2.9-51.6). Murine typhus risk was significant only in Tiruvannamalai (AOR:24.2; 95% CI 3.3-178.6). Our study suggests that prevalence of rickettsial infections and Q fever is low in areas which receive rainfall of ≥ 150 cm/year, with average minimum and maximum temperatures between 15 and 25 °C and elevation in excess of 2000 m. It is also less in well irrigated lowlands with dry climate. These preliminary findings need confirmation by active surveillance in these areas.
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Brindle HE, Nadjm B, Choisy M, Christley R, Griffiths M, Baker S, Bryant JE, Campbell JI, Nguyen VVC, Nguyen TND, Vu TTH, Nguyen VH, Hoang BL, Le XL, Pham HM, Ta TDN, Ho DTN, Tran TN, Nguyen THN, Tran MP, Pham THP, Le VT, Nguyen DT, Hau TTT, Nguyen NV, Wertheim HFL, Thwaites GE, van Doorn HR. Aetiology and Potential Animal Exposure in Central Nervous System Infections in Vietnam. ECOHEALTH 2022; 19:463-474. [PMID: 36227390 PMCID: PMC9558024 DOI: 10.1007/s10393-022-01611-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
An estimated 73% of emerging infections are zoonotic in origin, with animal contact and encroachment on their habitats increasing the risk of spill-over events. In Vietnam, close exposure to a wide range of animals and animal products can lead to acquisition of zoonotic pathogens, a number of which cause central nervous system (CNS) infections. However, studies show the aetiology of CNS infections remains unknown in around half of cases. We used samples and data from hospitalised patients with CNS infections, enrolled into the Vietnam Initiative on Zoonotic Infections multicentre study, to determine the association between aetiology and animal contact including those in whom the cause was unknown. Among 933 patients, a pathogen or an antibody response to it was identified in 291 (31.2%, 95% CI 28.3-34.3%). The most common pathogens were Streptococcus suis (n = 91 (9.8%, 8.0-11.9%)) and Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) (n = 72 (7.7%, 6.1-9.7%)). Commonly reported animal contact included keeping, raising or handling (n = 364 (39.0%, 35.9-42.2%)) and handling, cooking or consuming raw meat, blood or viscera in the 2 weeks prior to symptom onset (n = 371 (39.8%, 36.6-43.0%)), with the latter most commonly from pigs (n = 343 (36.9%, 33.8-40.1%). There was no association between an unknown aetiology and exposure to animals in a multivariate logistic regression. Further testing for unknown or undetected pathogens may increase diagnostic yield, however, given the high proportion of zoonotic pathogens and the presence of risk factors, increasing public awareness about zoonoses and preventive measures can be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah E Brindle
- Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Hanoi, Vietnam.
- Institute of Infection and Global Health and National Institute, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
| | - Behzad Nadjm
- Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Hanoi, Vietnam
- Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Atlantic Boulevard, Serekunda, The Gambia
| | - Marc Choisy
- Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
| | - Rob Christley
- Institute of Infection and Global Health and National Institute, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Michael Griffiths
- Institute of Infection and Global Health and National Institute, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Stephen Baker
- Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Juliet E Bryant
- Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Hanoi, Vietnam
- The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - James I Campbell
- Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | | | | | - Ty Thi Hang Vu
- Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | | | - Bao Long Hoang
- Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Hanoi, Vietnam
- Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Xuan Luat Le
- National Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Ha My Pham
- Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Hanoi, Vietnam
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK
| | | | | | | | | | - My Phuc Tran
- Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | | | - Van Tan Le
- Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | | | - Thi Thu Trang Hau
- Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Hanoi, Vietnam
- Research Group 2, AIDS Research Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Heiman F L Wertheim
- Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Hanoi, Vietnam
- RadboudUMC, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Guy E Thwaites
- Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - H Rogier van Doorn
- Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Hanoi, Vietnam
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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Maquart PO, Froehlich Y, Boyer S. Plastic pollution and infectious diseases. Lancet Planet Health 2022; 6:e842-e845. [PMID: 36208647 DOI: 10.1016/s2542-5196(22)00198-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Pierre-Olivier Maquart
- Medical and Veterinary Entomology Unit, Institut Pasteur du Cambodge, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
| | | | - Sebastien Boyer
- Medical and Veterinary Entomology Unit, Institut Pasteur du Cambodge, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
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Elliott I, Kumlert R, Thangnimitchok N, Blacksell SD, Tanganuchitcharnchai A, Paris DH, Newton PN, Morand S. Orientia tsutsugamushi in Chiggers and Small Mammals in Laos. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2022; 22:505-511. [PMID: 36255415 PMCID: PMC7613890 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2022.0029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Scrub typhus is a leading cause of febrile illness in Laos and accounts for a high burden of disease. There have been no previous studies on the causative agent, Orientia tsutsugamushi, in vector mites ("chiggers") or their small mammal hosts in Laos. Materials and Methods: Small mammals and free-living chiggers were trapped in districts of Vientiane Province and Capital. Tissues were tested for O. tsutsugamushi by PCR and serum for IgG to O. tsutsugamushi by immunofluorescence assays (IFAs). Chiggers removed from small mammals and collected in their free-living stage using black plates were identified and tested for O. tsutsugamushi by PCR. Results: Over an 18-month period, 131 small mammals of 14 species were collected in 5 districts. Seventy-eight of 131 small mammals were infested with chiggers, but all tissues were O. tsutsugamushi PCR negative. Eighteen species of chigger were identified and 1,609 were tested by PCR. A single pool of chiggers tested O. tsutsugamushi positive. Sera from 52 small mammals were tested by IFA, with 16 testing positive. Conclusions: These are the first molecular and serological data on O. tsutsugamushi in chiggers and small mammals in Laos. Further studies are needed to better understand the key vector species and ecology of scrub typhus in areas with high disease incidence in Laos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivo Elliott
- Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Wellcome Trust Research Unit, Microbiology Laboratory, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Lao PDR
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Rawadee Kumlert
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi, Thailand
| | - Neeranuch Thangnimitchok
- Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Wellcome Trust Research Unit, Microbiology Laboratory, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Lao PDR
| | - Stuart D. Blacksell
- Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Wellcome Trust Research Unit, Microbiology Laboratory, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Lao PDR
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Ampai Tanganuchitcharnchai
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Daniel H. Paris
- Department of Medicine, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Clinical Research, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Paul N. Newton
- Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Wellcome Trust Research Unit, Microbiology Laboratory, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Lao PDR
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Serge Morand
- MIVEGEC, CNRS, IRD, Montpellier University, Montpellier, France
- Faculty of Veterinary Technology, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
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Han J, He S, Shao W, Wang C, Qiao L, Zhang J, Yang L. Municipal solid waste, an overlooked route of transmission for the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2: a review. ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS 2022; 21:81-95. [PMID: 36124224 PMCID: PMC9476438 DOI: 10.1007/s10311-022-01512-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Municipal solid waste could potentially transmit human pathogens during the collection, transport, handling, and disposal of waste. Workers and residents living in the vicinity of municipal solid waste collection or disposal sites are particularly susceptible, especially unprotected workers and waste pickers. Recent evidence suggests that municipal solid waste-mediated transmission can spread the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) to humans. Such risks, however, have received little attention from public health authorities so far and may present an under-investigated transmission route for SARS-CoV-2 and other infectious agents during pandemics. In this review, we provide a retrospective analysis of the challenges, practices, and policies on municipal solid waste management during the current pandemic, and scrutinize the recent case reports on the municipal solid waste-mediated transmission of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We found abrupt changes in quantity and composition of municipal solid wastes during the COVID-19. We detail pathways of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 and other pathogens carried on municipal solid wastes. We disclose evidence of pathogenic transmission by municipal solid waste to humans and animals. Assessments of current policies, gaps, and voluntary actions taken on municipal solid waste handling and disposal in the current pandemic are presented. We propose risk mitigation strategies and research priorities to alleviate the risk for humans and vectors exposed to municipal solid wastes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Han
- School of Human Settlements and Civil Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710049 People’s Republic of China
| | - Shanshan He
- School of Human Settlements and Civil Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710049 People’s Republic of China
| | - Wenyuan Shao
- School of Life Sciences and Technology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710049 People’s Republic of China
| | - Chaoqi Wang
- School of Human Settlements and Civil Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710049 People’s Republic of China
| | - Longkai Qiao
- School of Human Settlements and Civil Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710049 People’s Republic of China
| | - Jiaqi Zhang
- School of Human Settlements and Civil Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710049 People’s Republic of China
| | - Ling Yang
- School of Engineering and Built Environment, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD 4111 Australia
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Incidence of tick-borne spotted fever group Rickettsia species in rodents in two regions in Kazakhstan. Sci Rep 2022; 12:14872. [PMID: 36050456 PMCID: PMC9437098 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-19145-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Records on the distribution of Rickettsia spp. in their natural hosts in Central Asia are incomplete. Rodents and small mammals are potential natural reservoirs for Rickettsiae in their natural lifecycle. Studies about the maintenance of Rickettsia in wild animals are available for Western nations, but—to our knowledge—no studies and data are available in the Republic of Kazakhstan so far. The first case description of Rickettsioses in Kazakhstan was made in the 1950ies in the Almaty region and now Kyzylorda, East Kazakhstan, Pavlodar and North Kazakhstan are endemic areas. The existence of murine and endemic typhus was proven in arthropod vectors in the regions Kyzylorda and Almaty. Here we show for the first time investigations on tick-borne Rickettsia species detected by a pan-rickettsial citrate synthase gene (gltA) real-time PCR in ear lobes of small mammals (n = 624) in Kazakhstan. From all analysed small mammals 2.72% were positive for Rickettsia raoultii, R. slovaca or R. conorii. Sequencing of the rickettsial gene OmpAIV and the 23S–5S interspacer region revealed a similar heritage of identified Rickettsia species that was observed in ticks in previous studies from the region. In summary, this study proves that rodents in Kazakhstan serve as a natural reservoir of Rickettsia spp.
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Chaisiri K, Tanganuchitcharnchai A, Kritiyakan A, Thinphovong C, Tanita M, Morand S, Blacksell SD. Risk factors analysis for neglected human rickettsioses in rural communities in Nan province, Thailand: A community-based observational study along a landscape gradient. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022; 16:e0010256. [PMID: 35320277 PMCID: PMC8979453 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Revised: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, we estimated exposure for Scrub typhus (STG), Typhus (TG) and Spotted fever groups (SFG) rickettsia using serology at a fine scale (a whole sub-district administration level) of local communities in Nan Province, Thailand. Geographical characteristics of the sub-district were divided into two landscape types: lowland agricultural area in an urbanized setting (lowland-urbanized area) and upland agricultural area located close to a protected area of National Park (upland-forested area). This provided an ideal contrast between the two landscapes with low and high levels of human-altered habitats to study in differences in disease ecology. In total, 824 serum samples of participants residing in the eight villages were tested by screening IgG ELISA, and subsequently confirmed by the gold standard IgG Immunofluorescent Assay (IFA). STG and TG IgG positivity were highest with seroprevalence of 9.8% and 9.0%, respectively; whereas SFG positivity was lower at 6.9%. Inhabitants from the villages located in upland-forested area demonstrated significantly higher STG exposure, compared to those villages in the lowland-urbanized area (chi-square = 51.97, p < 0.0001). In contrast, TG exposure was significantly higher in those villagers living in lowland-urbanized area (chi-square = 28.26, p < 0.0001). In addition to the effect of landscape types, generalized linear model (GLM) analysis identified socio-demographic parameters, i.e., gender, occupation, age, educational level, domestic animal ownership (dog, cattle and poultry) as influential factors to explain the level of rickettsial exposure (antibody titers) in the communities. Our findings raise the public health awareness of rickettsiosis as a cause of undiagnosed febrile illness in the communities. Evidence of human exposures to rickettsial pathogens were reported from a cross-sectional study at a whole sub-district scale of local communities in Nan Province, Thailand. Seroprevalence and level of rickettsial exposures demonstrated differences between the habitat types, ecological aspects and socio-demographic factors. In addition, abundance of domestic animals in the community appeared to be one of significant factors influencing levels of human exposure to rickettsial pathogens. Our findings will benefit the local public health by raising awareness of rickettsial infections as one of potential health concerns in the community. Inclusion of rickettsioses in routine laboratory diagnosis would help to differentiate unknown febrile illness and guide appropriate treatment. Further studies are required, particularly in the fields of disease ecology as well as medical and veterinary entomology, in order to better understand epidemiology and potential zoonotic transmission of these neglected rickettsioses in endemic areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kittipong Chaisiri
- Department of Helminthology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- * E-mail: (KC); (SDB)
| | - Ampai Tanganuchitcharnchai
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Research Medicine Unit (MORU), Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Anamika Kritiyakan
- Faculty of Veterinary Technology, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | | | - Malee Tanita
- Saen Thong Health Promoting Hospital, Tha Wang Pha, Nan, Thailand
| | - Serge Morand
- Department of Helminthology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Faculty of Veterinary Technology, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Faculty of Veterinary Technology, CNRS ISEM–CIRAD ASTRE, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Stuart D. Blacksell
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Research Medicine Unit (MORU), Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Center for Tropical Medicine & Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, Oxford University, Oxford, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (KC); (SDB)
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Arkell P, Angelina J, do Carmo Vieira A, Wapling J, Marr I, Monteiro M, Matthews A, Amaral S, da Conceicao V, Kim SH, Bailey D, Yan J, Fancourt's NSS, Vaz Nery S, Francis JR. Integrated serological surveillance of acute febrile illness in the context of a lymphatic filariasis survey in Timor-Leste: a pilot study using dried blood spots. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 2021; 116:531-537. [PMID: 34850241 PMCID: PMC9157677 DOI: 10.1093/trstmh/trab164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Revised: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Acute febrile illnesses (AFIs), including dengue, scrub typhus and leptospirosis, cause significant morbidity and mortality in Southeast Asia. Serological surveillance can be used to investigate the force and distribution of infections. Dried blood spot (DBS) samples are an attractive alternative to serum because they are easier to collect and transport and require less cold storage. We conducted a pilot study to determine the feasibility of integrating serological surveillance for dengue, scrub typhus and leptospirosis into a population-representative lymphatic filariasis seroprevalence survey in Timor-Leste using DBSs. Methods A total of 272 DBSs were collected from healthy community participants. DBSs were analysed at the National Health Laboratory using commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. To validate assays for DBSs, 20 anonymised serum samples of unknown serostatus were used to create dried serum spots (DSSs). These were analysed with optical densities compared with those of serum. Where low variance was observed (dengue assay) the published kit cut-offs for serum were applied to the analysis of DBSs. For the other assays (scrub typhus and leptospirosis), index values (IVs) were calculated and cut-offs were determined to be at 2 standard deviations (SDs) above the mean. Results Of the 272 samples analysed, 19 (7.0% [95% confidence interval {CI} 4.3 to 10.7]) were positive for dengue immunoglobulin G (IgG), 11 (4.0% [95% CI 2.1 to 7.1]) were positive for scrub typhus IgG and 16 (5.9% [95% CI 3.4 to 9.4%]) were positive for leptospira IgG. Conclusions While dengue seroprevalence was lower than in nearby countries, results represent the first evidence of scrub typhus and leptospirosis transmission in Timor-Leste. Integrated programmes of serological surveillance could greatly improve our understanding of infectious disease epidemiology in remote areas and would incur minimal additional fieldwork costs. However, when planning such studies, the choice of assays, their validation for DBSs and the laboratory infrastructure and technical expertise at the proposed location of analysis must be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Arkell
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT, Australia.,Imperial College London, London, UK
| | | | | | - Johanna Wapling
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT, Australia
| | - Ian Marr
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT, Australia
| | - Merita Monteiro
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT, Australia.,Ministry of Health, Dili, Timor-Leste
| | | | - Salvador Amaral
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT, Australia
| | - Virginia da Conceicao
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT, Australia.,National Health Laboratory, Dili, Timor-Leste
| | | | - Daniel Bailey
- Rare and Imported Pathogens Laboratory, Porton Down, UK
| | - Jennifer Yan
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT, Australia.,Royal Darwin Hospital, Darwin, NT, Australia
| | | | - Susana Vaz Nery
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Joshua R Francis
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT, Australia.,Royal Darwin Hospital, Darwin, NT, Australia
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12
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Tran HTD, Hattendorf J, Do HM, Hoang TT, Hoang HTH, Lam HN, Huynh MK, Vu LTH, Zinsstag J, Paris DH, Schelling E. Ecological and behavioural risk factors of scrub typhus in central Vietnam: a case-control study. Infect Dis Poverty 2021; 10:110. [PMID: 34412700 PMCID: PMC8374119 DOI: 10.1186/s40249-021-00893-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The risk factors for scrub typhus in Vietnam remain unknown. Scrub typhus caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi often presents as an undifferentiated febrile illness and remains under appreciated due to the limited availability of diagnostic tests. This tropical rickettsial illness is increasingly recognized as an important cause of non-malaria acute undifferentiated fever in Asia. This study aimed to investigate behavioural and ecological related risk factors of scrub typhus to prevent this potentially life-threatening disease in Vietnam. Methods We conducted a clinical hospital-based active surveillance study, and a retrospective residence-enrolment date-age-matched case–control study in Khanh Hoa province, Vietnam, from August 2018 to March 2020. Clinical examinations, polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay IgM tests were applied to define cases and controls. All enrolled participants filled out a questionnaire including demographic socio-economic status, personal behaviors/protective equipment, habitat connections, land use, and possible exposure to the vector. Multivariable conditional logistic regression was used to define the scrub typhus associated risk factors. Results We identified 44 confirmed cases and matched them with 152 controls. Among cases and controls, the largest age group was the 41–50 years old and males accounted for 61.4% and 42.8%, respectively. There were similarities in demographic characteristics between the two groups, with the exception of occupation. Several factors were significantly associated with acquisition of scrub typhus, including sitting/laying directly on household floor [adjusted OR (aOR) = 4.9, 95% CI: 1.6–15.1, P = 0.006], household with poor sanitation/conditions (aOR = 7.9, 95% CI: 1.9–32.9, P = 0.005), workplace environment with risk (aOR = 3.0, 95% CI: 1.2–7.6, P = 0.020), always observing mice around home (aOR = 3.7, 95% CI: 1.4–9.9, P = 0.008), and use of personal protective equipment in the field (aOR = 0.4, 95% CI: 0.1–1.1, P = 0.076). Conclusions Ecological and household hygiene-related factors were more associated with scrub typhus infection, than individual-level exposure activities in the hyper-endemic area. These findings support local education and allow people to protect themselves from scrub typhus, especially in areas with limitations in diagnostic capacity. Graphical abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40249-021-00893-6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanh Thi Duc Tran
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland. .,Department of Epidemiology, Hanoi University of Public Health, Hanoi, Vietnam. .,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Jan Hattendorf
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Hung Manh Do
- Department for Infectious Disease Control and Prevention, Nha Trang Pasteur Institute, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa, Vietnam
| | - Thanh Tien Hoang
- Department for Infectious Disease Control and Prevention, Nha Trang Pasteur Institute, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa, Vietnam
| | - Hang Thi Hai Hoang
- Department for Infectious Disease Control and Prevention, Nha Trang Pasteur Institute, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa, Vietnam
| | - Hoa Ngoc Lam
- Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Mai Kim Huynh
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Nha Trang Pasteur Institute, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa, Vietnam
| | - Lan Thi Hoang Vu
- Department of Epidemiology, Hanoi University of Public Health, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Jakob Zinsstag
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Daniel Henry Paris
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Department of Medicine, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
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13
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Roberts T, Parker DM, Bulterys PL, Rattanavong S, Elliott I, Phommasone K, Mayxay M, Chansamouth V, Robinson MT, Blacksell SD, Newton PN. A spatio-temporal analysis of scrub typhus and murine typhus in Laos; implications from changing landscapes and climate. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009685. [PMID: 34432800 PMCID: PMC8386877 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Scrub typhus (ST) and murine typhus (MT) are common but poorly understood causes of fever in Laos. We examined the spatial and temporal distribution of ST and MT, with the intent of informing interventions to prevent and control both diseases. METHODOLOGY AND PRINCIPLE FINDINGS This study included samples submitted from 2003 to 2017 to Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, for ST and MT investigation. Serum samples were tested using IgM rapid diagnostic tests. Patient demographic data along with meteorological and environmental data from Laos were analysed. Approximately 17% of patients were positive for either ST (1,337/8,150 patients tested) or MT (1,283/7,552 patients tested). While both diseases occurred in inhabitants from Vientiane Capital, from the univariable analysis MT was positively and ST negatively associated with residence in Vientiane Capital. ST was highly seasonal, with cases two times more likely to occur during the wet season months of July-September compared to the dry season whilst MT peaked in the dry season. Multivariable regression analysis linked ST incidence to fluctuations in relative humidity whereas MT was linked to variation in temperature. Patients with ST infection were more likely to come from villages with higher levels of surface flooding and vegetation in the 16 days leading up to diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS The data suggest that as cities expand, high risk areas for MT will also expand. With global heating and risks of attendant higher precipitation, these data suggest that the incidence and spatial distribution of both MT and ST will increase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamalee Roberts
- Lao-Oxford-Mahosot-Hospital-Wellcome Trust Research Unit, Microbiology Laboratory, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Lao PDR
- Centre for Tropical Medicine & Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel M. Parker
- University of California, Irvine, California, United States of America
| | - Philip L. Bulterys
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, California, United States of America
| | - Sayaphet Rattanavong
- Lao-Oxford-Mahosot-Hospital-Wellcome Trust Research Unit, Microbiology Laboratory, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Lao PDR
| | - Ivo Elliott
- Lao-Oxford-Mahosot-Hospital-Wellcome Trust Research Unit, Microbiology Laboratory, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Lao PDR
- Centre for Tropical Medicine & Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Koukeo Phommasone
- Lao-Oxford-Mahosot-Hospital-Wellcome Trust Research Unit, Microbiology Laboratory, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Lao PDR
| | - Mayfong Mayxay
- Lao-Oxford-Mahosot-Hospital-Wellcome Trust Research Unit, Microbiology Laboratory, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Lao PDR
- Centre for Tropical Medicine & Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, United Kingdom
- Institute of Research and Education Development (IRED), University of Health Sciences, Ministry of Health, Vientiane, Lao PDR
| | - Vilada Chansamouth
- Lao-Oxford-Mahosot-Hospital-Wellcome Trust Research Unit, Microbiology Laboratory, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Lao PDR
- Centre for Tropical Medicine & Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew T. Robinson
- Lao-Oxford-Mahosot-Hospital-Wellcome Trust Research Unit, Microbiology Laboratory, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Lao PDR
- Centre for Tropical Medicine & Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Stuart D. Blacksell
- Lao-Oxford-Mahosot-Hospital-Wellcome Trust Research Unit, Microbiology Laboratory, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Lao PDR
- Centre for Tropical Medicine & Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, United Kingdom
- Mahidol-Oxford-Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Paul N. Newton
- Lao-Oxford-Mahosot-Hospital-Wellcome Trust Research Unit, Microbiology Laboratory, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Lao PDR
- Centre for Tropical Medicine & Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, United Kingdom
- Mahidol-Oxford-Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
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14
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Lu J, Liu Y, Ma X, Li M, Yang Z. Impact of Meteorological Factors and Southern Oscillation Index on Scrub Typhus Incidence in Guangzhou, Southern China, 2006-2018. Front Med (Lausanne) 2021; 8:667549. [PMID: 34395468 PMCID: PMC8355740 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.667549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Scrub typhus was epidemic in the western Pacific Ocean area and East Asia, scrub typhus epidemic in densely populated areas in southern China. To better understand the association between meteorological variables, Southern Oscillation Index (SOI), and scrub typhus incidence in Guangzhou was benefit to the control and prevention. Methodology/Principal Findings: We collected weekly data for scrub typhus cases and meteorological variables in Guangzhou, and Southern Oscillation Index from 2006 to 2018, and used the distributed lag non-linear models to evaluate the relationships between meteorological variables, SOI and scrub typhus. The median value of each variable was set as the reference. The high-risk occupations were farmer (51.10%), house worker (17.51%), and retiree (6.29%). The non-linear relationships were observed with different lag weeks. For example, when the mean temperature was 27.7°C with1-week lag, the relative risk (RR) was highest as 1.08 (95% CI: 1.01–1.17). The risk was the highest when the relative humidity was 92.0% with 9-week lag, with the RR of 1.10 (95% CI: 1.02–1.19). For aggregate rainfall, the highest RR was 1.06 (95% CI: 1.03–1.11), when it was 83.0 mm with 4-week lag. When the SOI was 19 with 11-week lag, the highest RR was 1.06 (95% CI: 1.01–1.12). Most of the extreme effects of SOI and meteorological factors on scrub typical cases were statistically significant. Conclusion/Significance: The high-risk occupations of scrub typhus in Guangzhou were farmer, house worker, and retiree. Meteorological factors and SOI played an important role in scrub typhus occurrence in Guangzhou. Non-linear relationships were observed in almost all the variables in our study. Approximately, mean temperature, and relative humidity positively correlated to the incidence of scrub typhus, on the contrary to atmospheric pressure and weekly temperature range (WTR). Aggregate rainfall and wind velocity showed an inverse-U curve, whereas the SOI appeared the bimodal distribution. These findings can be helpful to facilitate the development of the early warning system to prevent the scrub typhus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianyun Lu
- Department of Infectious Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yanhui Liu
- Department of Infectious Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaowei Ma
- Department of Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response, Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, China
| | - Meixia Li
- Department of Infectious Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhicong Yang
- Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, China
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15
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Chang YC, Sun W, Lin JN, Chen YH, Lai CH, Lee CH. Epidemiology and risk factors of scrub typhus in Taiwan: A nationwide database study from 1996 to 2014. Zoonoses Public Health 2021; 68:876-883. [PMID: 34223707 DOI: 10.1111/zph.12876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 04/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Scrub typhus (ST) is one of the most underdiagnosed, potentially fatal febrile diseases in the Asia-Pacific region. We conducted a comprehensive review of the risk factors of ST over 19 years using data from a nationwide database. METHODS We used data on ST from the nationwide database of the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control from 1996 to 2014 to analyse the incidence rates and relative risks of ST according to different regions. The trends of incidence rates over the study period were also evaluated. The distribution of confirmed ST cases was mapped using geographic information system software. The characteristics of confirmed ST cases and non-ST cases (cases with suspected ST but negative test findings) were compared. RESULTS Among the 38,127 reported cases, there were 6,791 (17.8%) confirmed ST cases. The overall incidence rate of ST in Taiwan was 1.49 per 100,000 residents per year. The trend of incidence rates increased over time. The Island region had the highest incidence rate (56.55 per 100,000 residents per year), followed by the Eastern region (15.13 per 100,000 residents per year). More confirmed ST cases were distributed in mountainous areas of Taiwan Main Island and Island region. Compared to non-ST cases, individuals with confirmed ST were younger (median [interquartile range] age: 44 [26-57] years versus 45 [30-60] years, p < .001) and more likely to engage in at-risk occupations (29.4% versus 13.3%, p < .001), including farming and animal husbandry (16.6% versus 9.0%, p < .001) and the armed forces (12.3% versus 3.5%, p < .001); however, they had a lower rate of animal contact (12.8% versus 20.1%, p < .001). CONCLUSIONS ST is an endemic disease in Taiwan, particularly in the Island region, Eastern region and mountainous areas. Patients engaged in at-risk occupations and presenting with acute febrile diseases should undergo investigations for ST.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Chin Chang
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Wu Sun
- Infection Control Department, Pao-Chien Hospital, Pingtung County, Taiwan
| | - Jiun-Nong Lin
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, E-Da Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Department of Critical Care Medicine, E-Da Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,School of Medicine, College of Medicine, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Yen-Hsu Chen
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,School of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Sepsis Research Center, Center of Dengue Fever Control and Research, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Hsu Lai
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, E-Da Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,School of Medicine, College of Medicine, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Division of Infection Control Laboratory, E-Da Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chen-Hsiang Lee
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
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16
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Khan SA, Murhekar MV, Bora T, Kumar S, Saikia J, Kamaraj P, Sabarinanthan R. Seroprevalence of Rickettsial Infections in Northeast India: A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Survey. Asia Pac J Public Health 2021; 33:516-522. [PMID: 34018413 DOI: 10.1177/10105395211015864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
A cross-sectional survey was undertaken to estimate seroprevalence of immunoglobulin G antibodies against scrub typhus, spotted fever group rickettsiae, and typhus group rickettsiae in randomly selected 48 clusters in 12 districts of 3 Northeast states of India: Assam, Meghalaya, and Tripura. Individuals in 3 age groups (5-8, 9-17, and 18-45 years) were selected from each cluster. Sera (N = 2360) tested were collected as part of a national survey on dengue seroprevalence conducted between September 2017 and February 2018. Overall, seroprevalence of 2.5% was detected against rickettsioses, with highest positivity against spotted fever group rickettsiae, followed by scrub typhus and typhus group rickettsiae. Seroprevalence was highest in Tripura (3.7%), followed by Assam (2.6%) and Meghalaya (1.04%). Adults of 18 to 45 years of age were found to be most affected (3.8%). The study findings indicate the need for increasing testing facilities for active case detection at hospital levels. Efforts on implementing effective preventing strategies are suggested to be targeted in disease-specific endemic foci.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siraj A Khan
- Indian Council of Medical Research-Regional Medical Research Centre, Northeast Region, Dibrugarh, India
| | - Manoj V Murhekar
- Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Epidemiology, Chennai, India
| | - Trishna Bora
- Indian Council of Medical Research-Regional Medical Research Centre, Northeast Region, Dibrugarh, India
| | - Santhosh Kumar
- Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Epidemiology, Chennai, India
| | - Jahnabi Saikia
- Indian Council of Medical Research-Regional Medical Research Centre, Northeast Region, Dibrugarh, India
| | - P Kamaraj
- Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Epidemiology, Chennai, India
| | - R Sabarinanthan
- Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Epidemiology, Chennai, India
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17
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Um J, Nam Y, Lim JN, Kim M, An Y, Hwang SH, Park JS. Seroprevalence of scrub typhus, murine typhus and spotted fever groups in North Korean refugees. Int J Infect Dis 2021; 106:23-28. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2021.02.111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
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18
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Yang S, Liu X, Gao Y, Chen B, Lu L, Zheng W, Fu R, Yuan C, Liu Q, Li G, Chen H. Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Scrub Typhus in Jiangxi Province, China, from 2006 to 2018. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18094599. [PMID: 33926106 PMCID: PMC8123664 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18094599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Revised: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Background: Scrub typhus (ST) has become a significant potential threat to public health in Jiangxi. Further investigation is essential for the control and management of the spatiotemporal patterns of the disease. Methods: Time-series analyses, spatial distribution analyses, spatial autocorrelation analysis, and space-time scan statistics were performed to detect spatiotemporal dynamics distribution of the incidence of ST. Results: From 2006 to 2018, a total of 5508 ST cases occurred in Jiangxi, covering 79 counties. The number of ST cases increased continuously from 2006 to 2018, and there was obvious seasonality during the variation process in each year, with a primary peak in autumn (September to October) and a smaller peak in summer (June to August). From 2007 to 2018, the spatial distribution of the ST epidemic was significant heterogeneity, and Nanfeng, Huichang, Xunwu, Anyuan, Longnan, and Xinfeng were hotspots. Seven spatiotemporal clusters were observed using Kulldorff's space-time scan statistic, and the most likely cluster only included one county, Nanfeng county. The high-risk areas of the disease were in the mountainous, hilly region of Wuyi and the southern mountainous region of Jiangxi. Conclusions: Targeted interventions should be executed in high-risk regions for the precise prevention and control of ST.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu Yang
- The Collaboration Unit for Field Epidemiology of State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Nanchang Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanchang 330038, China; (S.Y.); (W.Z.); (R.F.); (C.Y.)
| | - Xiaobo Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China; (X.L.); (Y.G.); (L.L.); (Q.L.)
| | - Yuan Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China; (X.L.); (Y.G.); (L.L.); (Q.L.)
| | - Baizhou Chen
- School of Geography and Information Engineering, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430078, China;
| | - Liang Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China; (X.L.); (Y.G.); (L.L.); (Q.L.)
| | - Weiqing Zheng
- The Collaboration Unit for Field Epidemiology of State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Nanchang Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanchang 330038, China; (S.Y.); (W.Z.); (R.F.); (C.Y.)
| | - Renlong Fu
- The Collaboration Unit for Field Epidemiology of State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Nanchang Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanchang 330038, China; (S.Y.); (W.Z.); (R.F.); (C.Y.)
| | - Chenying Yuan
- The Collaboration Unit for Field Epidemiology of State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Nanchang Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanchang 330038, China; (S.Y.); (W.Z.); (R.F.); (C.Y.)
| | - Qiyong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China; (X.L.); (Y.G.); (L.L.); (Q.L.)
| | - Guichang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China; (X.L.); (Y.G.); (L.L.); (Q.L.)
- Correspondence: (G.L.); (H.C.)
| | - Haiying Chen
- The Collaboration Unit for Field Epidemiology of State Key Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Nanchang Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanchang 330038, China; (S.Y.); (W.Z.); (R.F.); (C.Y.)
- Correspondence: (G.L.); (H.C.)
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19
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Describing fine spatiotemporal dynamics of rat fleas in an insular ecosystem enlightens abiotic drivers of murine typhus incidence in humans. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009029. [PMID: 33600454 PMCID: PMC7924756 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2020] [Revised: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Murine typhus is a flea-borne zoonotic disease that has been recently reported on Reunion Island, an oceanic volcanic island located in the Indian Ocean. Five years of survey implemented by the regional public health services have highlighted a strong temporal and spatial structure of the disease in humans, with cases mainly reported during the humid season and restricted to the dry southern and western portions of the island. We explored the environmental component of this zoonosis in an attempt to decipher the drivers of disease transmission. To do so, we used data from a previously published study (599 small mammals and 175 Xenopsylla fleas from 29 sampling sites) in order to model the spatial distribution of rat fleas throughout the island. In addition, we carried out a longitudinal sampling of rats and their ectoparasites over a 12 months period in six study sites (564 rats and 496 Xenopsylla fleas) in order to model the temporal dynamics of flea infestation of rats. Generalized Linear Models and Support Vector Machine classifiers were developed to model the Xenopsylla Genus Flea Index (GFI) from climatic and environmental variables. Results showed that the spatial distribution and the temporal dynamics of fleas, estimated through the GFI variations, are both strongly controlled by abiotic factors: rainfall, temperature and land cover. The models allowed linking flea abundance trends with murine typhus incidence rates. Flea infestation in rats peaked at the end of the dry season, corresponding to hot and dry conditions, before dropping sharply. This peak of maximal flea abundance preceded the annual peak of human murine typhus cases by a few weeks. Altogether, presented data raise novel questions regarding the ecology of rat fleas while developed models contribute to the design of control measures adapted to each micro region of the island with the aim of lowering the incidence of flea-borne diseases. Murine typhus is a neglected zoonotic disease, as the number of human cases is likely underestimated in the absence of specific symptoms. It is caused by Rickettsia typhi, a pathogenic bacterium transmitted by rat fleas (Xenospylla spp). The distribution and dynamics of this disease result from complex interactions involving vectors, reservoirs and humans within a shared environment. In this study, we explored the environmental drivers of rat fleas’ abundance on Reunion Island, where murine typhus has recently emerged. Results showed that i) rat fleas’ abundance is highly dynamic, characterized by a peak at the end of the dry season and ii) among the factors investigated, rainfall, temperature and land cover are the main determinants of rat fleas’ abundance. We modeled a predictive map of flea distribution that strongly correlates with the spatial distribution of human cases on the island. This study highlights the importance of accounting for environmental and climatic characteristics to better understand the spatial and temporal drivers of flea-borne diseases.
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Tsai KH, Yen TY, Wu WJ, Carvalho R, Raoult D, Fournier PE. Investigation of Ctenocephalides felis on domestic dogs and Rickettsia felis infection in the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe. Zoonoses Public Health 2020; 67:892-902. [PMID: 33145971 DOI: 10.1111/zph.12776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Revised: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Rickettsia felis is an obligate intracellular Gram-negative bacterium which causes flea-borne spotted fever in humans. In the past decades, R. felis has been detected worldwide in Ctenocephalides felis fleas and various other arthropods. However, due to its shared symptoms with other common vector-borne diseases, human infection is prone to be underestimated or misdiagnosed, especially in the malaria-endemic areas including sub-Saharan Africa, where confirmatory laboratory diagnoses are not usually available. In this study, a 'One Health' approach was adopted to explore potential vector-borne and zoonotic pathogens in the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe (DRSTP), an island nation in the Gulf of Guinea. By collaborating with local veterinarians, 1,187 fleas were collected from 95 domestic dogs across the country and later identified as Ct. felis using taxonomic keys. A cytochrome oxidase gene-based phylogenetic analysis revealed that all collected fleas belonged to a single haplotype and were identical to isolates from Ivory Coast and Brazil that clustered into a clade of tropical distribution. Additional samples of 14 chigoe fleas (Tunga penetrans) were collected from the surrounding environment of the dogs' resting spots. Rickettsia felis infection in fleas was examined by molecular methods targeting the citrate synthase (gltA)- and outer membrane protein A (ompA)-coding genes as well as the R. felis-specific pRF plasmid. The bacterial DNA was detected in 21.01% (146/695) of cat fleas but none of the chigoe fleas. Microimmunofluorescence assay was then performed to assess pathogen exposure of the residents. Of 240 dried blood spots from participants with dog contacts, 8 (3.33%) exhibited R. felis antibodies. Our findings demonstrated the presence of R. felis in DRSTP. Further extensive epidemiological studies regarding its prevalence and its role in causing febrile illness while the nation is entering pre-elimination stage of malaria will be carried out.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun-Hsien Tsai
- Institute of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Public Health, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Entomology, College of Bioresources and Agriculture, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tsai-Ying Yen
- Institute of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Jer Wu
- Department of Entomology, College of Bioresources and Agriculture, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ronalg Carvalho
- Taiwanese Medical Mission, Sao Tome, Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe
| | - Didier Raoult
- Aix-Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France.,French Reference Center for Rickettsioses, Q fever and Bartonelloses, Unité de Recherche sur les Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales Emergentes (URMITE) UM63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198, Inserm 1095, Marseille, France
| | - Pierre-Edouard Fournier
- Aix-Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France.,French Reference Center for Rickettsioses, Q fever and Bartonelloses, Unité de Recherche sur les Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales Emergentes (URMITE) UM63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198, Inserm 1095, Marseille, France
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Weitzel T, Acosta-Jamett G, Jiang J, Martínez-Valdebenito C, Farris CM, Richards AL, Abarca K. Human seroepidemiology of Rickettsia and Orientia species in Chile - A cross-sectional study in five regions. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2020; 11:101503. [PMID: 32993924 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2020.101503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2020] [Revised: 05/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, the spectrum and epidemiology of human rickettsioses has become an emerging topic in Chile. This survey aimed to assess the seroprevalence of spotted fever group rickettsiae (SFGR), typhus group rickettsiae (TGR), and scrub typhus group orientiae (STGO) in northern, central, and southern Chile. We performed a cross-sectional study of healthy adults in rural and urban settings of five regions. Participants were chosen by double stratified random sampling in urban and by convenience in rural locations (n = 1302). Serum specimens were analyzed for group-specific IgG antibodies against SFGR, TGR, and STGO by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). Overall seroprevalences to SFGR, TGR, and STGO were 5.3 %, 1.2 %, and 0.4 %, respectively. Prevalences showed geographical differences. Statistical analyses revealed an association of older age with seropositivity to SFGR and to TGR and of rural setting and male gender with seropositivity to SFGR. The study indicates that SFGR, TGR, and STGO are endemic in Chile. The very low STGO seroprevalence might indicate an insufficient sensitivity of serological tests using Asian O. tsutsugamushi strains as ELISA antigens for the detection of antibodies against Chilean Orientia species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Weitzel
- Laboratorio Clínico, Clínica Alemana, Facultad de Medicina Clínica Alemana, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile; Instituto de Ciencias e Innovación en Medicina (ICIM) Facultad de Medicina Clínica Alemana Universidad del Desarrollo Santiago Chile.
| | - Gerardo Acosta-Jamett
- Instituto de Medicina Preventiva Veterinaria y Programa de Investigación Aplicada en Fauna Silvestre, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile.
| | - Ju Jiang
- Viral and Rickettsial Diseases Department, Naval Medical Research Center, Silver Spring, MD, USA.
| | - Constanza Martínez-Valdebenito
- Departamento de Enfermedades Infecciosas e Inmunología Pediátricas, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
| | - Christina M Farris
- Viral and Rickettsial Diseases Department, Naval Medical Research Center, Silver Spring, MD, USA.
| | - Allen L Richards
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Biostatistics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Katia Abarca
- Departamento de Enfermedades Infecciosas e Inmunología Pediátricas, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
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Grigg MJ, William T, Clemens EG, Patel K, Chandna A, Wilkes CS, Barber BE, Anstey NM, Dumler JS, Yeo TW, Reller ME. Rickettsioses as Major Etiologies of Unrecognized Acute Febrile Illness, Sabah, East Malaysia. Emerg Infect Dis 2020; 26. [PMID: 32568664 PMCID: PMC7323546 DOI: 10.3201/eid2607.191722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Orientia tsutsugamushi, spotted fever group rickettsioses, and typhus group rickettsioses (TGR) are reemerging causes of acute febrile illness (AFI) in Southeast Asia. To further delineate extent, we enrolled patients >4 weeks of age with nonmalarial AFI in Sabah, Malaysia, during 2013-2015. We confirmed rickettsioses (past or acute, IgG titer >160) in 126/354 (36%) patients. We confirmed acute rickettsioses (paired 4-fold IgG titer rise to >160) in 38/145 (26%) patients: 23 O. tsutsugamushi, 9 spotted fever group, 4 TGR, 1 O. tsutsugamushi/spotted fever group, and 1 O. tsutsugamushi/TGR. PCR results were positive in 11/319 (3%) patients. Confirmed rickettsioses were more common in male adults; agricultural/plantation work and recent forest exposure were risk factors. Dizziness and acute hearing loss but not eschars were reported more often with acute rickettsioses. Only 2 patients were treated with doxycycline. Acute rickettsioses are common (>26%), underrecognized, and untreated etiologies of AFI in East Malaysia; empirical doxycycline treatment should be considered.
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Devamani CS, Schmidt WP, Ariyoshi K, Anitha A, Kalaimani S, Prakash JAJ. Risk Factors for Scrub Typhus, Murine Typhus, and Spotted Fever Seropositivity in Urban Areas, Rural Plains, and Peri-Forest Hill Villages in South India: A Cross-Sectional Study. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2020; 103:238-248. [PMID: 32458785 PMCID: PMC7356468 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.19-0642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Scrub typhus and spotted fever group rickettsioses are thought to be common causes of febrile illness in India, whereas they rarely test for murine typhus. This cross-sectional study explored the risk factors associated with scrub typhus, tick-borne spotted fever, and murine typhus seropositivity in three different geographical settings, urban, rural, and hill villages in Tamil Nadu, South India. We enrolled 1,353 participants living in 48 clusters. The study included a questionnaire survey and blood sampling. Blood was tested for Orientia tsutsugamushi (scrub typhus), Rickettsia typhi (murine typhus), and spotted fever group Rickettsia IgG using ELISA. The seroprevalence of scrub typhus, spotted fever, and murine typhus were 20.4%, 10.4%, and 5.4%, respectively. Scrub typhus had the highest prevalence in rural areas (28.1%), and spotted fever was most common in peri-forested areas (14.9%). Murine typhus was more common in rural (8.7%) than urban areas (5.4%) and absent in peri-forested hill areas. Agricultural workers had a higher relative risk for scrub typhus, especially in urban areas. For murine typhus, proximity to a waterbody and owning a dog were found to be major risk factors. The main risk factors for spotted fever were agricultural work and living in proximity to a forest. Urban, rural plains, and hill settings display distinct epidemiological pattern of Orientia and rickettsial infections. Although scrub typhus and spotted fever were associated with known risk factors in this study, the findings suggest a different ecology of murine typhus transmission compared with other studies conducted in Asia.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Wolf-Peter Schmidt
- Department for Disease Control, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Koya Ariyoshi
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Arumugam Anitha
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India
| | - Saravanan Kalaimani
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India
| | - John A J Prakash
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India
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Rattanavong S, Dubot-Pérès A, Mayxay M, Vongsouvath M, Lee SJ, Cappelle J, Newton PN, Parker DM. Spatial epidemiology of Japanese encephalitis virus and other infections of the central nervous system infections in Lao PDR (2003-2011): A retrospective analysis. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008333. [PMID: 32453806 PMCID: PMC7274481 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2019] [Revised: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Central nervous system (CNS) infections are important contributors to morbidity and mortality and the causative agents for ~50% patients are never identified. The causative agents of some CNS infections have distinct spatial and temporal patterns. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Here we present the results of a spatial epidemiological and ecological analysis of CNS infections in Lao PDR (2003-2011). The data came from hospitalizations for suspected CNS infection at Mahosot Hospital in Vientiane. Out of 1,065 patients, 450 were assigned a confirmed diagnosis. While many communities in Lao PDR are in rural and remote locations, most patients in these data came from villages along major roads. Japanese encephalitis virus ((JEV); n = 94) and Cryptococcus spp. (n = 70) were the most common infections. JEV infections peaked in the rainy season and JEV patients came from villages with higher surface flooding during the same month as admission. JEV infections were spatially dispersed throughout rural areas and were most common in children. Cryptococcus spp. infections clustered near Vientiane (an urban area) and among adults. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE The spatial and temporal patterns identified in this analysis are related to complex environmental, social, and geographic factors. For example, JEV infected patients came from locations with environmental conditions (surface water) that are suitable to support larger mosquito vector populations. Most patients in these data came from villages that are near major roads; likely the result of geographic and financial access to healthcare and also indicating that CNS diseases are underestimated in the region (especially from more remote areas). As Lao PDR is undergoing major developmental and environmental changes, the space-time distributions of the causative agents of CNS infection will also likely change. There is a major need for increased diagnostic abilities; increased access to healthcare, especially for rural populations; and for increased surveillance throughout the nation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayaphet Rattanavong
- Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Wellcome Trust Research Unit (LOMWRU), Microbiology Laboratory, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Lao PDR
| | - Audrey Dubot-Pérès
- Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Wellcome Trust Research Unit (LOMWRU), Microbiology Laboratory, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Lao PDR
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Churchill Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Unité des Virus Émergents (UVE: Aix-Marseille Univ–IRD 190 –Inserm 1207 –IHU Méditerranée Infection), Marseille, France
| | - Mayfong Mayxay
- Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Wellcome Trust Research Unit (LOMWRU), Microbiology Laboratory, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Lao PDR
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Churchill Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Institute of Research and Education Development, University of Health Sciences, Vientiane, Lao PDR
| | - Manivanh Vongsouvath
- Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Wellcome Trust Research Unit (LOMWRU), Microbiology Laboratory, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Lao PDR
| | - Sue J. Lee
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Churchill Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Thailand
| | - Julien Cappelle
- Epidemiology and Public Health Unit, Institut Pasteur du Cambodge, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
- CIRAD, UMR ASTRE, F-34398, Montpellier, France
- UMR ASTRE, CIRAD, INRA, Montpellier University, Montpellier, France
- UMR EpiA, INRA, VetAgro Sup, Marcy l’Etoile, France
| | - Paul N. Newton
- Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Wellcome Trust Research Unit (LOMWRU), Microbiology Laboratory, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Lao PDR
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Churchill Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Thailand
| | - Daniel M. Parker
- Department of Population Health and Disease Prevention, University of California, Irvine, United States of America
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, United States of America
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Low VL, Tan TK, Khoo JJ, Lim FS, AbuBakar S. An overview of rickettsiae in Southeast Asia: Vector-animal-human interface. Acta Trop 2020; 202:105282. [PMID: 31778642 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2019.105282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2019] [Revised: 11/24/2019] [Accepted: 11/24/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Rickettsioses are emerging, and re-emerging diseases caused by obligate intracellular arthropod-borne bacteria that infect humans and animals worldwide. Various rickettsiae such as Orientia, Rickettsia, Anaplasma and Ehrlichia have been circulated in companion, domesticated and wild animals through bites of infected ticks, fleas, lice or mites. This review summarizes the infections of rickettsiae, including the newly discovered regional species Rickettsia thailandii, Candidatus Rickettsia sepangensis, Candidatus Rickettsia johorensis, Candidatus Rickettsia laoensis, Candidatus Rickettsia mahosotii, Candidatus Rickettsia khammouanensis, Candidatus Anaplasma pangolinii, and other novel genotypes in vectors, humans and animals in Southeast Asia. Issues on some unidentified rickettsiae that elicit immune responses and production of antibodies that are cross-reactive with the antigens used are discussed. Knowledge gaps which required attention are also identified in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Van Lun Low
- Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE), Tropical Infectious Diseases Research and Education Centre (TIDREC), University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
| | - Tiong Kai Tan
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Jing Jing Khoo
- Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE), Tropical Infectious Diseases Research and Education Centre (TIDREC), University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Fang Shiang Lim
- Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE), Tropical Infectious Diseases Research and Education Centre (TIDREC), University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Sazaly AbuBakar
- Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE), Tropical Infectious Diseases Research and Education Centre (TIDREC), University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Krystosik A, Njoroge G, Odhiambo L, Forsyth JE, Mutuku F, LaBeaud AD. Solid Wastes Provide Breeding Sites, Burrows, and Food for Biological Disease Vectors, and Urban Zoonotic Reservoirs: A Call to Action for Solutions-Based Research. Front Public Health 2020; 7:405. [PMID: 32010659 PMCID: PMC6979070 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2019.00405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2019] [Accepted: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Infectious disease epidemiology and planetary health literature often cite solid waste and plastic pollution as risk factors for vector-borne diseases and urban zoonoses; however, no rigorous reviews of the risks to human health have been published since 1994. This paper aims to identify research gaps and outline potential solutions to interrupt the vicious cycle of solid wastes; disease vectors and reservoirs; infection and disease; and poverty. Methods: We searched peer-reviewed publications from PubMed, Google Scholar, and Stanford Searchworks, and references from relevant articles using the search terms (“disease” OR “epidemiology”) AND (“plastic pollution,” “garbage,” and “trash,” “rubbish,” “refuse,” OR “solid waste”). Abstracts and reports from meetings were included only when they related directly to previously published work. Only articles published in English, Spanish, or Portuguese through 2018 were included, with a focus on post-1994, after the last comprehensive review was published. Cancer, diabetes, and food chain-specific articles were outside the scope and excluded. After completing the literature review, we further limited the literature to “urban zoonotic and biological vector-borne diseases” or to “zoonotic and biological vector-borne diseases of the urban environment.” Results: Urban biological vector-borne diseases, especially Aedes-borne diseases, are associated with solid waste accumulation but vector preferences vary over season and region. Urban zoonosis, especially rodent and canine disease reservoirs, are associated with solid waste in urban settings, especially when garbage accumulates over time, creating burrowing sites and food for reservoirs. Although evidence suggests the link between plastic pollution/solid waste and human disease, measurements are not standardized, confounders are not rigorously controlled, and the quality of evidence varies. Here we propose a framework for solutions-based research in three areas: innovation, education, and policy. Conclusions: Disease epidemics are increasing in scope and scale with urban populations growing, climate change providing newly suitable vector climates, and immunologically naïve populations becoming newly exposed. Sustainable solid waste management is crucial to prevention, specifically in urban environments that favor urban vectors such as Aedes species. We propose that next steps should include more robust epidemiological measurements and propose a framework for solutions-based research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Krystosik
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Gathenji Njoroge
- School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Lorriane Odhiambo
- College of Public Health, Kent State University, Kent, OH, United States
| | - Jenna E Forsyth
- School of Earth Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Francis Mutuku
- Environment and Health Sciences Department, Technical University of Mombasa, Mombasa, Kenya
| | - A Desiree LaBeaud
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
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Katoh S, Cuong NC, Hamaguchi S, Thuy PT, Cuong DD, Anh LK, Anh NTH, Anh DD, Sando E, Suzuki M, Fujita H, Yasunami M, Yoshihara K, Yoshida LM, Paris DH, Ariyoshi K. Challenges in diagnosing scrub typhus among hospitalized patients with undifferentiated fever at a national tertiary hospital in northern Vietnam. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0007928. [PMID: 31805053 PMCID: PMC6917290 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2019] [Revised: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 11/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Scrub typhus (ST) is a leading cause of non-malarial febrile illness in Southeast Asia, but evidence of its true disease burden is limited because of difficulties of making the clinical diagnosis and lack of adequate diagnostic tests. To describe the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of ST, we conducted an observational study using multiple diagnostic assays at a national tertiary hospital in Hanoi, Vietnam. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS We enrolled 1,127 patients hospitalized with documented fever between June 2012 and May 2013. Overall, 33 (2.9%) patients were diagnosed with ST by PCR and/or screening of ELISA for immunoglobulin M (IgM) with confirmatory tests: 14 (42.4%) were confirmed by indirect immunoperoxidase assay (IIP), and 19 (57.6%) were by IIP and PCR. Living by farming, conjunctival injection, eschar, aspartate aminotransferase elevation, and alanine aminotransferase elevation were significantly associated with ST cases (adjusted odds ratios (aORs): 2.8, 3.07, 48.8, 3.51, and 4.13, respectively), and having a comorbidity and neutrophilia were significantly less common in ST cases (aORs: 0.29 and 0.27, respectively). The majority of the ST cases were not clinically diagnosed with rickettsiosis (72.7%). Dominant IIP reactions against a single antigen were identified in 15 ST cases, whereas indistinguishably high reactions against multiple antigens were seen in 11 ST cases. The most frequently observed dominant IIP reaction was against Karp antigen (eight cases) followed by Gilliam (four cases). The highest diagnostic accuracy of IgM ELISA in acute samples was 78%. In a phylogenetic analysis of the 56-kDa type-specific antigen gene, the majority (14 cases) were located in the Karp-related branch followed by the Gilliam-related (two cases), Kato-related (two cases), and TA763-related clades (one case). CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE Both the clinical and laboratory diagnoses of ST remain challenging at a tertiary hospital. Implementation of both serological and nucleic acid amplification assays covering endemic O. tsutsugamushi strains is essential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shungo Katoh
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
- Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki, Japan
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Nagasaki Rosai Hospital, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Ngo Chi Cuong
- Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki, Japan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Bach Mai Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Sugihiro Hamaguchi
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Pham Thanh Thuy
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Bach Mai Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam
- The Partnership for Health Advancement in Vietnam (HAIVN), Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Do Duy Cuong
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Bach Mai Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Le Kim Anh
- Vietnam Research Station, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | | | - Dang Duc Anh
- National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Eiichiro Sando
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
- Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki, Japan
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Kameda Medical Center, Chiba, Japan
| | - Motoi Suzuki
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
- School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Hiromi Fujita
- Mahara Institute of Medical Acarology, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Michio Yasunami
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
- Saga-Ken Medical Centre Koseikan, Saga, Japan
| | - Keisuke Yoshihara
- Department of Paediatric Infectious Diseases, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Lay-Myint Yoshida
- Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki, Japan
- Department of Paediatric Infectious Diseases, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Daniel Henry Paris
- Department of Medicine, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Koya Ariyoshi
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
- Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki, Japan
- School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
- * E-mail:
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Satjanadumrong J, Robinson MT, Hughes T, Blacksell SD. Distribution and Ecological Drivers of Spotted Fever Group Rickettsia in Asia. ECOHEALTH 2019; 16:611-626. [PMID: 30993545 PMCID: PMC6910891 DOI: 10.1007/s10393-019-01409-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2018] [Revised: 02/21/2019] [Accepted: 02/22/2019] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Spotted fever group and related rickettsia (SFGR) are a neglected group of pathogens that belong to the genus Rickettsia. SFGR are zoonotic and are transmitted by arthropod vectors, primarily ticks, fleas and mites to accidental hosts. These emerging and re-emerging infections are widely distributed throughout the world. Land-use change and increasing human-wildlife conflict compound the risk of SFGR infection to local people in endemic areas and travelers to these regions. In this article, we discuss the rickettsial organisms causing spotted fever and related diseases, their arthropod vectors in Asia and the impact of land-use change on their spread.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaruwan Satjanadumrong
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, 420/6 Rajvithee Road, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Matthew T Robinson
- Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Wellcome Trust Research Unit (LOMWRU), Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Lao People's Democratic Republic
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, Churchill Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7FZ, UK
| | - Tom Hughes
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, 420/6 Rajvithee Road, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
- EcoHealth Alliance, 460 West 34th Street, 17th Floor, New York, NY, USA
| | - Stuart D Blacksell
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, 420/6 Rajvithee Road, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand.
- Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Wellcome Trust Research Unit (LOMWRU), Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Lao People's Democratic Republic.
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, Churchill Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7FZ, UK.
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Phakhounthong K, Mukaka M, Dittrich S, Tanganuchitcharnchai A, Day NPJ, White LJ, Newton PN, Blacksell SD. The temporal dynamics of humoral immunity to Rickettsia typhi infection in murine typhus patients. Clin Microbiol Infect 2019; 26:781.e9-781.e16. [PMID: 31678231 PMCID: PMC7284305 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2019.10.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2019] [Revised: 10/15/2019] [Accepted: 10/17/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study examined individuals with Rickettsia typhi infection in the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) to (a) investigate humoral immune dynamics; (b) determine the differences in reference diagnostic results and recommend appropriate cut-offs; (c) determine differences in immune response after different antibiotic treatments; and (d) determine appropriate diagnostic cut-off parameters for indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA). METHODS Sequential serum samples from 90 non-pregnant, adults were collected at seven time-points (days 0, 7, 14, 28, 90, 180 and 365) as part of a clinical antibiotic treatment trial. Samples were tested using IFA to determine IgM and IgG antibody reciprocal end-point titres against R. typhi and PCR. RESULTS For all 90 individuals, reciprocal R. typhi IgM and IgG antibody titres ranged from <400 to ≥3200. The median half-life of R. typhi IgM was 126 days (interquartile range 36-204 days) and IgG was 177 days (interquartile range 134-355 days). Overall median patient titres for R. typhi IgM and IgG were significantly different (p < 0.0001) and at each temporal sample collection point (range p < 0.0001 to p 0.0411). Using Bayesian latent class model analysis, the optimal diagnostic cut-off reciprocal IFA titer on patient admission for IgM was 800 (78.6%, 95% CI 71.6%-85.2% sensitivity; 89.9%, 95% CI 62.5%-100% specificity), and for IFA IgG 1600 (77.3%; 95% CI 68.2%-87.6% sensitivity; 99%, 95% CI 95%-100% specificity). CONCLUSIONS This study suggests suitable diagnostic cut-offs for local diagnostic laboratories and other endemic settings and highlights antibody persistence following acute infection. Further studies are required to validate and define cut-offs in other geographically diverse locations.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Phakhounthong
- Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Microbiology Laboratory, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Lao People's Democratic Republic; Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - M Mukaka
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand; Centre for Tropical Medicine & Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, UK
| | - S Dittrich
- Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Microbiology Laboratory, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Lao People's Democratic Republic; Centre for Tropical Medicine & Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, UK
| | | | - N P J Day
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand; Centre for Tropical Medicine & Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, UK
| | - L J White
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand; Centre for Tropical Medicine & Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, UK
| | - P N Newton
- Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Microbiology Laboratory, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Lao People's Democratic Republic; Centre for Tropical Medicine & Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, UK
| | - S D Blacksell
- Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Microbiology Laboratory, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Lao People's Democratic Republic; Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand; Centre for Tropical Medicine & Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, UK.
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Abstract
Spotted fever group rickettsiae (SFG) are a neglected group of bacteria, belonging to the genus Rickettsia, that represent a large number of new and emerging infectious diseases with a worldwide distribution. The diseases are zoonotic and are transmitted by arthropod vectors, mainly ticks, fleas and mites, to hosts such as wild animals. Domesticated animals and humans are accidental hosts. In Asia, local people in endemic areas as well as travellers to these regions are at high risk of infection. In this review we compare SFG molecular and serological diagnostic methods and discuss their limitations. While there is a large range of molecular diagnostics and serological assays, both approaches have limitations and a positive result is dependent on the timing of sample collection. There is an increasing need for less expensive and easy-to-use diagnostic tests. However, despite many tests being available, their lack of suitability for use in resource-limited regions is of concern, as many require technical expertise, expensive equipment and reagents. In addition, many existing diagnostic tests still require rigorous validation in the regions and populations where these tests may be used, in particular to establish coherent and worthwhile cut-offs. It is likely that the best strategy is to use a real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and immunofluorescence assay in tandem. If the specimen is collected early enough in the infection there will be no antibodies but there will be a greater chance of a PCR positive result. Conversely, when there are detectable antibodies it is less likely that there will be a positive PCR result. It is therefore extremely important that a complete medical history is provided especially the number of days of fever prior to sample collection. More effort is required to develop and validate SFG diagnostics and those of other rickettsial infections.
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Yen TY, Zhang Z, Chao CC, Ching WM, Shu PY, Tseng LF, Carvalho AVDA, Tsai KH. Serologic Evidence for Orientia Exposure in the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2019; 19:821-827. [PMID: 31407963 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2018.2426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Orientia tsutsugamushi is an obligate intracellular bacterium that causes scrub typhus in humans. Formerly thought to be confined to the "tsutsugamushi triangle" within the Asia-Pacific region, scrub typhus was recently identified in the Western Hemisphere. Moreover, a new species of Orientia bacterial genus was isolated from a patient in Dubai. This study investigated Orientia exposure in an African country, the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe. Two sets of samples were analyzed in the study: 240 dried blood spots (DBSs) collected in 2016 and 863 serum samples from 570 pregnant women in 2003. Antibodies against O. tsutsugamushi were examined by immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The positive samples were further confirmed by Western blot. The results of IFA showed that 5.8% (14/240) of DBSs and 20.4% (116/570) of the serum samples contained reactive antibodies, whereas IgG ELISA yielded a positive rate of 15.4% (88/570) for the serum samples. These findings provided serologic evidence of potential Orientia exposure even though case of scrub typhus has never been diagnosed in the nation. Further studies are needed to determine the epidemiology and the burden of this neglected tropical disease in Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsai-Ying Yen
- Institute of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Zhiwen Zhang
- Department of Viral and Rickettsial Diseases, Infectious Diseases Directorate, Naval Medical Research Center, Silver Spring, Maryland.,Department of Preventive Medicine and Biostatistics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Chien-Chung Chao
- Department of Viral and Rickettsial Diseases, Infectious Diseases Directorate, Naval Medical Research Center, Silver Spring, Maryland.,Department of Preventive Medicine and Biostatistics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Wei-Mei Ching
- Department of Viral and Rickettsial Diseases, Infectious Diseases Directorate, Naval Medical Research Center, Silver Spring, Maryland.,Department of Preventive Medicine and Biostatistics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Pei-Yun Shu
- Research and Diagnostic Center, Center for Disease Control, The Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Lien-Feng Tseng
- Taiwan Anti-Malaria Advisory Mission, Sao Tome, Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe
| | | | - Kun-Hsien Tsai
- Taiwan Anti-Malaria Advisory Mission, Sao Tome, Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe.,Institute of Environmental Health, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Public Health, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
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Dorji K, Phuentshok Y, Zangpo T, Dorjee S, Dorjee C, Jolly P, Morris R, Marquetoux N, McKenzie J. Clinical and Epidemiological Patterns of Scrub Typhus, an Emerging Disease in Bhutan. Trop Med Infect Dis 2019; 4:tropicalmed4020056. [PMID: 30934849 PMCID: PMC6631561 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed4020056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2019] [Revised: 03/16/2019] [Accepted: 03/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Scrub typhus (ST) is a vector-borne rickettsial infection causing acute febrile illness. The re-emergence of ST in the Asia-Pacific region represents a serious public health threat. ST was first detected in Bhutan in 2008. However, the disease is likely to be under-diagnosed and under-reported, and the true impact is difficult to estimate. At the end of 2014, the SD Bioline Tsutsugamushi TestTM rapid diagnostic test (RDT) kits became available in all hospitals to assist clinicians in diagnosing ST. We conducted a retrospective descriptive study, reviewing records from all hospitals of Bhutan to identify all RDT-positive clinical cases of ST in Bhutan in 2015. The aim was to evaluate the burden of ST in Bhutan, describe the demographic, spatial and temporal patterns of disease, and identify the typical clinical presentations. The annual incidence of RDT-positive cases of ST reporting to Bhutanese hospitals in 2015 was estimated to be 62 per 100,000 population at risk. The incidence of disease was highest in the southern districts with a subtropical climate and a high level of agricultural production. The highest proportion of cases (87%) was rural residents, with farmers being the main occupational category. The disease was strongly seasonal, with 97% of cases occurring between June and November, coinciding with the monsoon and agricultural production seasons. Common ST symptoms were not specific, and an eschar was noted by clinicians in only 7.4% of cases, which is likely to contribute to an under-diagnosis of ST. ST represents an important and neglected burden, especially in rural communities in Bhutan. The outcomes of this study will inform public health measures such as timely-awareness programmes for clinicians and the public in high-risk areas, to improve the diagnosis, treatment and clinical outcomes of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kezang Dorji
- School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand.
- Samdrup Jongkhar Hospital, Ministry of Health, Samdrup Jongkhar 41001, Bhutan.
| | - Yoenten Phuentshok
- School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand.
- National Centre for Animal Health, Department of Livestock, Ministry of Agriculture and Forests, Serbithang, Thimphu 11001, Bhutan.
| | - Tandin Zangpo
- School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand.
- Dechencholing BHU-I, Ministry of Health, Thimphu 11001, Bhutan.
| | - Sithar Dorjee
- Faculty of Nursing and Public Health, Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences of Bhutan, Thimphu 11001, Bhutan.
| | - Chencho Dorjee
- Faculty of Nursing and Public Health, Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences of Bhutan, Thimphu 11001, Bhutan.
| | - Peter Jolly
- School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand.
| | - Roger Morris
- Morvet Ltd., Consultancy Services in Health Risk Management and Food Safety Policy and Programs, Masterton 5885, New Zealand.
| | - Nelly Marquetoux
- School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand.
| | - Joanna McKenzie
- School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand.
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Devamani CS, Prakash JAJ, Alexander N, Suzuki M, Schmidt WP. Hospitalisations and outpatient visits for undifferentiated fever attributable to scrub typhus in rural South India: Retrospective cohort and nested case-control study. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0007160. [PMID: 30802243 PMCID: PMC6405239 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2018] [Revised: 03/07/2019] [Accepted: 01/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The burden of scrub typhus in endemic areas is poorly understood. This study aimed at estimating the proportion of hospitalisations and outpatient visits for undifferentiated fever in the community that may be attributable to scrub typhus. Methodology and principal findings The study was a retrospective cohort with a nested case-control study conducted in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. We conducted house-to-house screening in 48 villages (42965 people, 11964 households) to identify hospitalised or outpatient cases due to undifferentiated fever during the preceding scrub typhus season. We used scrub typhus IgG to determine past infection. We calculated adjusted odds ratios for the association between IgG positivity and case status. Odds ratios were used to estimate population attributable fractions (PAF) indicating the proportion of hospitalised and outpatient fever cases attributable to scrub typhus. We identified 58 cases of hospitalisation and 236 outpatient treatments. 562 people were enrolled as control group to estimate the background IgG sero-prevalence. IgG prevalence was 20.3% in controls, 26.3% in outpatient cases and 43.1% in hospitalised cases. The PAFs suggested that 29.5% of hospitalisations and 6.1% of outpatient cases may have been due to scrub typhus. In villages with a high IgG prevalence (defined as ≥15% among controls), the corresponding PAFs were 43.4% for hospitalisations and 5.6% for outpatients. The estimated annual incidence of scrub typhus was 0.8/1000 people (0.3/1000 in low, and 1.3/1000 in high prevalence villages). Evidence for recall error suggested that the true incidences may be about twice as high as these figures. Conclusions The study suggests scrub typhus as an important cause for febrile hospitalisations in the community. The results confirm the adequacy of empirical treatment for scrub typhus in hospitalised cases with undifferentiated fever. Since scrub typhus may be rare among stable outpatients, the use of empirical treatment remains doubtful in these. Scrub typhus is an important cause of fever in many Asian countries, including China, India, Vietnam and Japan. It is caused by the intra-cellular bacteria Orientia tsutsugamushi and is transmitted to humans by mite larvae (chiggers) which attach to the skin of the host. Scrub typhus is potentially life-threatening but treatable with relatively cheap antibiotics such as doxycycline. The incidence of scrub typhus in the community is not known as most studies were done at hospitals and health posts lacking a clearly defined source-population for patients seeking health care for fever. In this study, the proportion of fever cases due to scrub typhus and the incidence of the infection were estimated by retrospective case identification in a population of 42000 people living in 48 villages in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. We found that about 30% to 40% of hospitalisations for undifferentiated fever may be due to scrub typhus. In contrast, scrub typhus accounted for only about 5% of outpatient fever cases. Our findings confirm the need for large population-based cohort studies to better understand the epidemiology of scrub typhus in endemic settings.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - John A. J. Prakash
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India
| | - Neal Alexander
- MRC Tropical Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Motoi Suzuki
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Wolf-Peter Schmidt
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
- Department for Disease Control, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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Epidemiology, Risk Factors and Seasonal Variation of Scrub Typhus Fever in Central Nepal. Trop Med Infect Dis 2019; 4:tropicalmed4010027. [PMID: 30717408 PMCID: PMC6473611 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed4010027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2018] [Revised: 01/26/2019] [Accepted: 01/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Scrub typhus is a mite-borne acute febrile illness caused by Orientia. tsutsugamushi, a zoonotic bacterial infection common in the region known as the tsutsugamushi triangle. This study aims to determine the seroprevalence, seasonal variation, and risk factors of scrub typhus among the acute febrile illness patients attending different hospitals of central Nepal. Blood samples were collected from hospitalized patients of acute febrile illness suspected of scrub typhus infection attending different hospitals of central Nepal from April 2017 to March 2018. The IgM antibody to Orientia tsutsugamushi was detected by using the Scrub Typhus Detect™ Kit. Among the total cases (1585), 358 (22.58%) were positive for IgM Antibodies. Multivariate analysis identified several risks factors to be significantly associated with the scrub typhus infection, including gender (female) (odds ratio [OR] = 1.976, p ≤ 0.001, confidence interval [CI] = 1.417–2.756), rural residential location (odds ratio [OR] = 0.431, p = 0.001, confidence interval [CI] = 0.260–0.715), house near grassland (odds ratio [OR] = 3.288, p ≤ 0.001, confidence interval [CI] = 1.935–5.587), and working in the field (odds ratio [OR] = 9.764, p = 0.004, confidence interval [CI] = 2.059–46.315). The study findings indicate scrub typhus infection to be a significant health problem in Nepal. The proper diagnosis of infection cases, timely institution of therapy, public awareness, and vector control are important measures to be taken for the prevention and management of scrub typhus.
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Rodkvamtook W, Kuttasingkee N, Linsuwanon P, Sudsawat Y, Richards AL, Somsri M, Sangjun N, Chao CC, Davidson S, Wanja E, Gaywee J. Scrub Typhus Outbreak in Chonburi Province, Central Thailand, 2013. Emerg Infect Dis 2019; 24:361-365. [PMID: 29350148 PMCID: PMC5782907 DOI: 10.3201/eid2402.171172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Investigation of a scrub typhus outbreak in Thailand during September 2013 found that 9.1% of Thai soldiers and 11.1% of residents living in areas surrounding training sites had antibodies against the causative agent, Orientia tsutsugamushi. Sequence analysis of O. tsutsugamushi from rodents and chiggers identified 7 genogroups and 3 genotypes.
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Luce-Fedrow A, Lehman ML, Kelly DJ, Mullins K, Maina AN, Stewart RL, Ge H, John HS, Jiang J, Richards AL. A Review of Scrub Typhus (Orientia tsutsugamushi and Related Organisms): Then, Now, and Tomorrow. Trop Med Infect Dis 2018; 3:E8. [PMID: 30274407 PMCID: PMC6136631 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed3010008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2017] [Revised: 01/09/2018] [Accepted: 01/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Scrub typhus and the rickettsial diseases represent some of the oldest recognized vector-transmitted diseases, fraught with a rich historical aspect, particularly as applied to military/wartime situations. The vectors of Orientia tsutsugamushi were once thought to be confined to an area designated as the Tsutsugamushi Triangle. However, recent reports of scrub typhus caused by Orientia species other than O. tsutsugamushi well beyond the limits of the Tsutsugamushi Triangle have triggered concerns about the worldwide presence of scrub typhus. It is not known whether the vectors of O. tsutsugamushi will be the same for the new Orientia species, and this should be a consideration during outbreak/surveillance investigations. Additionally, concerns surrounding the antibiotic resistance of O. tsutsugamushi have led to considerations for the amendment of treatment protocols, and the need for enhanced public health awareness in both the civilian and medical professional communities. In this review, we discuss the history, outbreaks, antibiotic resistance, and burgeoning genomic advances associated with one of the world's oldest recognized vector-borne pathogens, O. tsutsugamushi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison Luce-Fedrow
- Department of Biology, Shippensburg University, Shippensburg, PA 17202, USA.
- Viral and Rickettsial Diseases Department, Naval Medical Research Center, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA.
| | - Marcie L Lehman
- Department of Biology, Shippensburg University, Shippensburg, PA 17202, USA.
| | - Daryl J Kelly
- Viral and Rickettsial Diseases Department, Naval Medical Research Center, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA.
- Department of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
| | - Kristin Mullins
- Viral and Rickettsial Diseases Department, Naval Medical Research Center, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA.
| | - Alice N Maina
- Viral and Rickettsial Diseases Department, Naval Medical Research Center, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA.
| | - Richard L Stewart
- Department of Biology, Shippensburg University, Shippensburg, PA 17202, USA.
| | - Hong Ge
- Viral and Rickettsial Diseases Department, Naval Medical Research Center, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA.
| | - Heidi St John
- Viral and Rickettsial Diseases Department, Naval Medical Research Center, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA.
| | - Ju Jiang
- Viral and Rickettsial Diseases Department, Naval Medical Research Center, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA.
| | - Allen L Richards
- Viral and Rickettsial Diseases Department, Naval Medical Research Center, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA.
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Biostatistics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA.
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Xu G, Walker DH, Jupiter D, Melby PC, Arcari CM. A review of the global epidemiology of scrub typhus. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2017; 11:e0006062. [PMID: 29099844 PMCID: PMC5687757 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 250] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2017] [Revised: 11/15/2017] [Accepted: 10/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Scrub typhus is a serious public health problem in the Asia-Pacific area. It threatens one billion people globally, and causes illness in one million people each year. Caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi, scrub typhus can result in severe multiorgan failure with a case fatality rate up to 70% without appropriate treatment. The antigenic heterogeneity of O. tsutsugamushi precludes generic immunity and allows reinfection. As a neglected disease, there is still a large gap in our knowledge of the disease, as evidenced by the sporadic epidemiologic data and other related public health information regarding scrub typhus in its endemic areas. Our objective is to provide a systematic analysis of current epidemiology, prevention and control of scrub typhus in its long-standing endemic areas and recently recognized foci of infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guang Xu
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Community Health, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - David H. Walker
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Daniel Jupiter
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Community Health, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Peter C. Melby
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Christine M. Arcari
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Community Health, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
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Bonell A, Lubell Y, Newton PN, Crump JA, Paris DH. Estimating the burden of scrub typhus: A systematic review. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2017; 11:e0005838. [PMID: 28945755 PMCID: PMC5634655 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 171] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2017] [Revised: 10/10/2017] [Accepted: 07/28/2017] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Scrub typhus is a vector-borne zoonotic disease that can be life-threatening. There are no licensed vaccines, or vector control efforts in place. Despite increasing awareness in endemic regions, the public health burden and global distribution of scrub typhus remains poorly known. METHODS We systematically reviewed all literature from public health records, fever studies and reports available on the Ovid MEDLINE, Embase Classic + Embase and EconLit databases, to estimate the burden of scrub typhus since the year 2000. FINDINGS In prospective fever studies from Asia, scrub typhus is a leading cause of treatable non-malarial febrile illness. Sero-epidemiological data also suggest that Orientia tsutsugamushi infection is common across Asia, with seroprevalence ranging from 9.3%-27.9% (median 22.2% IQR 18.6-25.7). A substantial apparent rise in minimum disease incidence (median 4.6/100,000/10 years, highest in China with 11.2/100,000/10 years) was reported through passive national surveillance systems in South Korea, Japan, China, and Thailand. Case fatality risks from areas of reduced drug-susceptibility are reported at 12.2% and 13.6% for South India and northern Thailand, respectively. Mortality reports vary widely around a median mortality of 6.0% for untreated and 1.4% for treated scrub typhus. Limited evidence suggests high mortality in complicated scrub typhus with CNS involvement (13.6% mortality), multi-organ dysfunction (24.1%) and high pregnancy miscarriage rates with poor neonatal outcomes. INTERPRETATION Scrub typhus appears to be a truly neglected tropical disease mainly affecting rural populations, but increasingly also metropolitan areas. Rising minimum incidence rates have been reported over the past 8-10 years from countries with an established surveillance system. A wider distribution of scrub typhus beyond Asia is likely, based on reports from South America and Africa. Unfortunately, the quality and quantity of the available data on scrub typhus epidemiology is currently too limited for any economical, mathematical modeling or mapping approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Bonell
- Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, National Hospital of Tropical Diseases, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Yoel Lubell
- Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Paul N. Newton
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Wellcome Trust Research Unit, Microbiology Laboratory, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Laos
| | - John A. Crump
- Centre for International Health, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Daniel H. Paris
- Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Department of Medicine, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- Faculty of Medicine, University Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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Trung NV, Hoi LT, Thuong NTH, Toan TK, Huong TTK, Hoa TM, Fox A, Kinh NV, van Doorn HR, Wertheim HFL, Bryant JE, Nadjm B. Seroprevalence of Scrub Typhus, Typhus, and Spotted Fever Among Rural and Urban Populations of Northern Vietnam. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2017; 96:1084-1087. [PMID: 28500808 PMCID: PMC5417199 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.16-0399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Rickettsial infections are recognized as important causes of fever throughout southeast Asia. Herein, we determined the seroprevalence to rickettsioses within rural and urban populations of northern Vietnam. Prevalence of individuals with evidence of prior rickettsial infections (IgG positive) was surprisingly low, with 9.14% (83/908) testing positive to the three major rickettsial serogroups thought to circulate in the region. Prevalence of typhus group rickettsiae (TG)–specific antibodies (6.5%, 58/908) was significantly greater than scrub typhus group orientiae (STG)– or spotted fever group rickettsiae (SFG)–specific antibodies (P < 0.05). The majority of TG seropositives were observed among urban rather than rural residents (P < 0.05). In contrast, overall antibody prevalence to STG and SFG were both very low (1.1%, 10/908 for STG; 1.7%, 15/908 for SFG), with no significant differences between rural and urban residents. These results provide data on baseline population characteristics that may help inform development of Rickettsia serological testing criteria in future clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Le Thi Hoi
- National Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Nguyen Thi Hong Thuong
- Oxford University Clinical Research Unit and Wellcome Trust Major Overseas Programme, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | | | - Tran Thi Kieu Huong
- Oxford University Clinical Research Unit and Wellcome Trust Major Overseas Programme, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Tran Mai Hoa
- National Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Annette Fox
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.,Oxford University Clinical Research Unit and Wellcome Trust Major Overseas Programme, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | | | - H Rogier van Doorn
- Center for Tropical Medicine, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.,Oxford University Clinical Research Unit and Wellcome Trust Major Overseas Programme, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Heiman F L Wertheim
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Center for Tropical Medicine, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.,Oxford University Clinical Research Unit and Wellcome Trust Major Overseas Programme, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Juliet E Bryant
- Center for Tropical Medicine, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.,Oxford University Clinical Research Unit and Wellcome Trust Major Overseas Programme, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Behzad Nadjm
- Center for Tropical Medicine, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.,Oxford University Clinical Research Unit and Wellcome Trust Major Overseas Programme, Hanoi, Vietnam
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40
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Wei Y, Huang Y, Li X, Ma Y, Tao X, Wu X, Yang Z. Climate variability, animal reservoir and transmission of scrub typhus in Southern China. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2017; 11:e0005447. [PMID: 28273079 PMCID: PMC5358896 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2016] [Revised: 03/20/2017] [Accepted: 03/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives We aimed to evaluate the relationships between climate variability, animal reservoirs and scrub typhus incidence in Southern China. Methods We obtained data on scrub typhus cases in Guangzhou every month from 2006 to 2014 from the Chinese communicable disease network. Time-series Poisson regression models and distributed lag nonlinear models (DLNM) were used to evaluate the relationship between risk factors and scrub typhus. Results Wavelet analysis found the incidence of scrub typhus cycled with a period of approximately 8–12 months and long-term trends with a period of approximately 24–36 months. The DLNM model shows that relative humidity, rainfall, DTR, MEI and rodent density were associated with the incidence of scrub typhus. Conclusions Our findings suggest that the incidence scrub typhus has two main temporal cycles. Determining the reason for this trend and how it can be used for disease control and prevention requires additional research. The transmission of scrub typhus is highly dependent on climate factors and rodent density, both of which should be considered in prevention and control strategies for scrub typhus. Scrub typhus has been endemic in southern China for several decades. In recent years, it has been increasingly reported and has become a significant health concern in China. The incidence of scrub typhus, a vector-borne disease, is influenced by the density of rats and changes in climate. Several studies have focused on the influence of climate and rat density on scrub typhus independent of one another; however, few studies investigate such factors simultaneously. Furthermore, global climate events such as El Niño have not been considered in any study of scrub typhus risk factors. This study reports novel factor research of scrub typhus in southern China. Data of climate, rat density and cases were collected on a monthly basis. Time-series Poisson regression models and distributed lag nonlinear models (DLNM) were used to evaluate the relationship between risk factors and scrub typhus. Finally, relative humidity, rainfall, DTR, MEI and rodent density were identified as risk factors of the incidence of scrub typhus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuehong Wei
- Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Yong Huang
- Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Xiaoning Li
- Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Yu Ma
- Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Xia Tao
- Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Xinwei Wu
- Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Zhicong Yang
- Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
- * E-mail:
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Kuo CC, Wardrop N, Chang CT, Wang HC, Atkinson PM. Significance of major international seaports in the distribution of murine typhus in Taiwan. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2017; 11:e0005430. [PMID: 28264003 PMCID: PMC5354449 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2016] [Revised: 03/16/2017] [Accepted: 02/23/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background International seaports are hotspots for disease invasion and pathogens can persist in seaports even after ports are abandoned. Transmitted by fleas infected by Rickettsia typhi, murine typhus, a largely neglected and easily misdiagnosed disease, is known to occur primarily in large seaports. However, the significance of seaports in the occurrence of murine typhus has never been validated quantitatively. Methodology/Principal findings We studied the spatial distribution of murine typhus, a notifiable disease, in Taiwan. We investigated whether risk of infection was correlated with distance to international seaports and a collection of environmental and socioeconomic factors, using a Bayesian negative binomial conditionally autoregressive model, followed with geographically weighted regression. Seaports that are currently in use and those that operated in the 19th century for trade with China, but were later abandoned due to siltation were analyzed. A total of 476 human cases of murine typhus were reported during 2000–2014 in the main island of Taiwan, with spatial clustering in districts in southwest and central-west Taiwan. A higher incidence rate (case/population) was associated with a smaller distance to currently in-use international seaports and lower rainfall and temperature, but was uncorrelated with distance to abandoned ports. Geographically weighted regression revealed a geographic heterogeneity in the importance of distance to in-use seaports near the four international seaports of Taiwan. Conclusions/Significance Our study suggests that murine typhus is associated with international seaports, especially for those with large trading volume. Thus, one of the costs of global trade in Taiwan might be elevated risks of murine typhus. Globalization has accelerated the spread of infectious diseases, but the burden of disease varies geographically, with regions surrounding major international seaports warranting particular surveillance. Globalization has hastened the spread of infectious diseases, with seaports as hotspots for disease invasion. Transmitted by fleas infected with the rickettsia Rickettsia typhi, murine typhus occurs worldwide, but its significance as a common causative agent of illness in tropical regions remains largely neglected. Although it is recognized that murine typhus is prevalent primarily in large seaports, the significance of seaports in the occurrence of murine typhus has never been validated quantitatively. We thus investigated whether distribution of murine typhus in Taiwan was associated with international seaports. Notably, abandoned international seaports (abandoned in the 19th century due to siltation) were also studied to see whether the causative agent of murine typhus might still circulate around the ports even after being abandoned. We found that infection risk of murine typhus was negatively associated with distance to operating seaports but was uncorrelated with nearness to abandoned seaports. In addition, the importance of distance to operating seaports for risk of murine typhus infection varied spatially. Our study highlights elevated disease risk as a cost of international trade and suggests particular surveillance in regions surrounding major international seaports.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi-Chien Kuo
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan
- * E-mail:
| | - Nicola Wardrop
- Geography and Environment, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Chung-Te Chang
- Department of Geography, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hsi-Chieh Wang
- Center for Diagnostics and Vaccine Development, Centers for Disease Control, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Peter M. Atkinson
- Geography and Environment, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom
- School of Geography, Archaeology and Palaeoecology, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
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Abstract
The obligate intracellular bacterium Orientia tsutsugamushi is responsible for more than one million cases of scrub typhus annually throughout the Asia-Pacific region. Human infection occurs via the bite of the larval form (chigger) of several species of trombiculid mites. While in some patients the result of infection is a mild, febrile illness, others experience severe complications, which may even be fatal. This review discusses the genome and biology of the causative agent, the changing epidemiology of scrub typhus, the challenges of its diagnosis, and current treatment recommendations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunil Thomas
- Lankenau Institute for Medical Research, Wynnewood, Pennsylvania USA
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43
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Jakharia A, Borkakoty B, Biswas D, Yadav K, Mahanta J. Seroprevalence of Scrub Typhus Infection in Arunachal Pradesh, India. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2016; 16:659-63. [PMID: 27536803 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2016.1970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Scrub typhus is a major reason for febrile illness, caused by a bacterium Orientia tsutsugamushi, a rickettsial pathogen. Few outbreaks of scrub typhus have been reported from Arunachal Pradesh in recent past. However, there is lack of seroprevalence data from the region. In this regard, this study was undertaken using archival serum sample available from seven districts of Arunachal Pradesh. METHODOLOGY This serological study was conducted in Regional Medical Research Center for NE Region, Dibrugarh. Reactivity to IgG class of antibodies against scrub typhus was done using Scrub typhus detect IgG ELISA kit as per manufacturer's protocol. RESULT Seroprevalence of scrub typhus in seven districts of Arunachal Pradesh was found to be 40% (120/300). The age-specific scrub typhus seroprevalence rose steadily from 5.6% in children <10 years of age to 61.8% in persons aged ≥40 years (p = 0.0001). Prevalence is lowest in Papumpare (25.9%) and highest in East Siang (72.5%) (p = 0.0001). The seroprevalence in males and females was very similar, however, the female prevalence increases from age group ≥30 years (p = 0.053). Moreover, among the farmers, the seroprevalence is higher (58.3%) (p = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS As clinical symptoms overlap with other viral/bacterial infections, scrub typhus infection should be considered in differential diagnosis of any acute febrile illness in this part of the country. In view of the high prevalence, empirical therapy of doxycycline/azithromycin may be done in cases of undiagnosed fever. Active surveillance has to be done to understand exact magnitude, epidemiological aspects, and distribution of vector and disease of this reemerging neglected tropical disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Biswajyoti Borkakoty
- 2 Department of Microbiology, Regional Medical Research Centre , Dibrugarh, India
| | | | - Kaushal Yadav
- 1 Regional Medical Research Centre , Dibrugarh, India
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Luce-Fedrow A, Mullins K, Kostik AP, St John HK, Jiang J, Richards AL. Strategies for detecting rickettsiae and diagnosing rickettsial diseases. Future Microbiol 2016; 10:537-64. [PMID: 25865193 DOI: 10.2217/fmb.14.141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Rickettsial diseases and scrub typhus constitute a group of the oldest known vector-borne diseases. The cosmopolitan distribution of the vectors that transmit rickettsiae and orientiae leads to a worldwide prevalence of these diseases. Despite their significant historical status, detection and diagnosis of these diseases are still evolving today. Serological methods remain among the most prevalent techniques used for the detection/diagnosis of rickettsial diseases and scrub typhus. Molecular techniques have been instrumental in increasing the sensitivity/specificity of diagnosis, identifying new Rickettsia and Orientia species and have enhanced epidemiological capabilities when used in combination with serological methods. In this review, we discuss these techniques and their associated pros and cons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison Luce-Fedrow
- Naval Medical Research Center, 503 Robert Grant Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA
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Kelly DJ, Foley DH, Richards AL. A Spatiotemporal Database to Track Human Scrub Typhus Using the VectorMap Application. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2015; 9:e0004161. [PMID: 26678263 PMCID: PMC4683066 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0004161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Scrub typhus is a potentially fatal mite-borne febrile illness, primarily of the Asia-Pacific Rim. With an endemic area greater than 13 million km2 and millions of people at risk, scrub typhus remains an underreported, often misdiagnosed febrile illness. A comprehensive, updatable map of the true distribution of cases has been lacking, and therefore the true risk of disease within the very large endemic area remains unknown. The purpose of this study was to establish a database and map to track human scrub typhus. An online search using PubMed and the United States Armed Forces Pest Management Board Literature Retrieval System was performed to identify articles describing human scrub typhus cases both within and outside the traditionally accepted endemic regions. Using World Health Organization guidelines, stringent criteria were used to establish diagnoses for inclusion in the database. The preliminary screening of 181 scrub typhus publications yielded 145 publications that met the case criterion, 267 case records, and 13 serosurvey records that could be georeferenced, describing 13,739 probable or confirmed human cases in 28 countries. A map service has been established within VectorMap (www.vectormap.org) to explore the role that relative location of vectors, hosts, and the pathogen play in the transmission of mite-borne scrub typhus. The online display of scrub typhus cases in VectorMap illustrates their presence and provides an up-to-date geographic distribution of proven scrub typhus cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daryl J. Kelly
- Viral and Rickettsial Diseases Department, Naval Medical Research Center, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States of America
- Department of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Desmond H. Foley
- Division of Entomology, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Allen L. Richards
- Viral and Rickettsial Diseases Department, Naval Medical Research Center, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States of America
- Preventive Medicine and Biometrics Department, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
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Sengupta M, Anandan S, Daniel D, Prakash JAJ. Scrub Typhus Seroprevalence in Healthy Indian Population. J Clin Diagn Res 2015; 9:DM01-2. [PMID: 26557523 DOI: 10.7860/jcdr/2015/14708.6623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2015] [Accepted: 08/12/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Scrub typhus, a zoonosis caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi, is an important cause of acute febrile illness in India. This preliminary study determines the seroprevalence of scrub typhus in healthy Indian adults by measuring IgM and IgG antibodies to scrub typhus by ELISA in 100 healthy blood donors. Our study demonstrates a 15% seroprevalence of scrub typhus in adults. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings especially in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mallika Sengupta
- Post Graduate Registrar, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Christian Medical College , Vellore, India
| | - Shalini Anandan
- Associate Professor, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Christian Medical College , Vellore, India
| | - Dolly Daniel
- Professor, Department of Transfusion Medicine and Immunohaematology, Christian Medical College , Vellore, India
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Phetsouvanh R, Sonthayanon P, Pukrittayakamee S, Paris DH, Newton PN, Feil EJ, Day NPJ. The Diversity and Geographical Structure of Orientia tsutsugamushi Strains from Scrub Typhus Patients in Laos. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2015; 9:e0004024. [PMID: 26317624 PMCID: PMC4552799 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0004024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2015] [Accepted: 08/02/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Orientia tsutsugamushi is the causative agent of scrub typhus, a disease transmitted by Leptotrombidium mites which is responsible for a severe and under-reported public health burden throughout Southeast Asia. Here we use multilocus sequence typing (MLST) to characterize 74 clinical isolates from three geographic locations in the Lao PDR (Laos), and compare them with isolates described from Udon Thani, northeast Thailand. The data confirm high levels of diversity and recombination within the natural O. tsutsugamushi population, and a rate of mixed infection of ~8%. We compared the relationships and geographical structuring of the strains and populations using allele based approaches (eBURST), phylogenetic approaches, and by calculating F-statistics (FST). These analyses all point towards low levels of population differentiation between isolates from Vientiane and Udon Thani, cities which straddle the Mekong River which defines the Lao/Thai border, but with a very distinct population in Salavan, southern Laos. These data highlight how land use, as well as the movement of hosts and vectors, may impact on the epidemiology of zoonotic infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rattanaphone Phetsouvanh
- Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Wellcome Trust Research Unit, Microbiology Laboratory, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Laos PDR
| | - Piengchan Sonthayanon
- Department of Molecular Tropical Medicine and Genetics, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- * E-mail: ,
| | - Sasithon Pukrittayakamee
- Department of Clinical Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Daniel H. Paris
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Centre for Tropical Medicine & Global Health, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Paul N. Newton
- Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Wellcome Trust Research Unit, Microbiology Laboratory, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Laos PDR
| | - Edward J. Feil
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
| | - Nicholas P. J. Day
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Centre for Tropical Medicine & Global Health, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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Mayxay M, Castonguay-Vanier J, Chansamouth V, Dubot-Pérès A, Paris DH, Phetsouvanh R, Tangkhabuanbutra J, Douangdala P, Inthalath S, Souvannasing P, Slesak G, Tongyoo N, Chanthongthip A, Panyanouvong P, Sibounheuang B, Phommasone K, Dohnt M, Phonekeo D, Hongvanthong B, Xayadeth S, Ketmayoon P, Blacksell SD, Moore CE, Craig SB, Burns MA, von Sonnenburg F, Corwin A, de Lamballerie X, González IJ, Christophel EM, Cawthorne A, Bell D, Newton PN. Causes of non-malarial fever in Laos: a prospective study. LANCET GLOBAL HEALTH 2015; 1:e46-54. [PMID: 24748368 PMCID: PMC3986032 DOI: 10.1016/s2214-109x(13)70008-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 181] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Background Because of reductions in the incidence of Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Laos, identification of the causes of fever in people without malaria, and discussion of the best empirical treatment options, are urgently needed. We aimed to identify the causes of non-malarial acute fever in patients in rural Laos. Methods For this prospective study, we recruited 1938 febrile patients, between May, 2008, and December, 2010, at Luang Namtha provincial hospital in northwest Laos (n=1390), and between September, 2008, and December, 2010, at Salavan provincial hospital in southern Laos (n=548). Eligible participants were aged 5–49 years with fever (≥38°C) lasting 8 days or less and were eligible for malaria testing by national guidelines. Findings With conservative definitions of cause, we assigned 799 (41%) patients a diagnosis. With exclusion of influenza, the top five diagnoses when only one aetiological agent per patient was identified were dengue (156 [8%] of 1927 patients), scrub typhus (122 [7%] of 1871), Japanese encephalitis virus (112 [6%] of 1924), leptospirosis (109 [6%] of 1934), and bacteraemia (43 [2%] of 1938). 115 (32%) of 358 patients at Luang Namtha hospital tested influenza PCR-positive between June and December, 2010, of which influenza B was the most frequently detected strain (n=121 [87%]). Disease frequency differed significantly between the two sites: Japanese encephalitis virus infection (p=0·04), typhoid (p=0·006), and leptospirosis (p=0·001) were more common at Luang Namtha, whereas dengue and malaria were more common at Salavan (all p<0·0001). With use of evidence from southeast Asia when possible, we estimated that azithromycin, doxycycline, ceftriaxone, and ofloxacin would have had significant efficacy for 258 (13%), 240 (12%), 154 (8%), and 41 (2%) of patients, respectively. Interpretation Our findings suggest that a wide range of treatable or preventable pathogens are implicated in non-malarial febrile illness in Laos. Empirical treatment with doxycycline for patients with undifferentiated fever and negative rapid diagnostic tests for malaria and dengue could be an appropriate strategy for rural health workers in Laos. Funding Wellcome Trust, WHO–Western Pacific Region, Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayfong Mayxay
- Lao Oxford Mahosot Hospital Wellcome Trust Research Unit (LOMWRU), Microbiology Laboratory, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Laos
- Faculty of Postgraduate Studies, University of Health Sciences, Vientiane, Laos
- Centre for Tropical Medicine, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Josée Castonguay-Vanier
- Lao Oxford Mahosot Hospital Wellcome Trust Research Unit (LOMWRU), Microbiology Laboratory, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Laos
| | - Vilada Chansamouth
- Lao Oxford Mahosot Hospital Wellcome Trust Research Unit (LOMWRU), Microbiology Laboratory, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Laos
| | - Audrey Dubot-Pérès
- Lao Oxford Mahosot Hospital Wellcome Trust Research Unit (LOMWRU), Microbiology Laboratory, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Laos
- Centre for Tropical Medicine, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- UMR_D 190 “Emergence des Pathologies Virales”, Aix-Marseille University, IRD French Institute of Research for Development, EHESP French School of Public Health, Marseille, France
| | - Daniel H Paris
- Centre for Tropical Medicine, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Mahidol–Oxford Research Unit (MORU), Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok
| | - Rattanaphone Phetsouvanh
- Lao Oxford Mahosot Hospital Wellcome Trust Research Unit (LOMWRU), Microbiology Laboratory, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Laos
- Centre for Tropical Medicine, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | | | - Saythong Inthalath
- Luang Namtha Provincial Hospital, Luang Namtha, Luang Namtha Province, Laos
| | | | - Günther Slesak
- Tropical Hospital Paul-Lechler-Krankenhaus, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Narongchai Tongyoo
- Mahidol–Oxford Research Unit (MORU), Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok
| | - Anisone Chanthongthip
- Lao Oxford Mahosot Hospital Wellcome Trust Research Unit (LOMWRU), Microbiology Laboratory, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Laos
| | - Phonepasith Panyanouvong
- Lao Oxford Mahosot Hospital Wellcome Trust Research Unit (LOMWRU), Microbiology Laboratory, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Laos
| | - Bountoy Sibounheuang
- Lao Oxford Mahosot Hospital Wellcome Trust Research Unit (LOMWRU), Microbiology Laboratory, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Laos
| | - Koukeo Phommasone
- Lao Oxford Mahosot Hospital Wellcome Trust Research Unit (LOMWRU), Microbiology Laboratory, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Laos
| | - Michael Dohnt
- WHO/FAO/OIE Collaborating Centre for Leptospirosis Reference and Research, Queensland, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Queensland, Australia
| | - Darouny Phonekeo
- National Centre for Laboratory and Epidemiology, Vientiane, Laos
| | | | | | | | - Stuart D Blacksell
- Centre for Tropical Medicine, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Mahidol–Oxford Research Unit (MORU), Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok
| | - Catrin E Moore
- Lao Oxford Mahosot Hospital Wellcome Trust Research Unit (LOMWRU), Microbiology Laboratory, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Laos
- Centre for Tropical Medicine, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Scott B Craig
- WHO/FAO/OIE Collaborating Centre for Leptospirosis Reference and Research, Queensland, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Queensland, Australia
| | - Mary-Anne Burns
- WHO/FAO/OIE Collaborating Centre for Leptospirosis Reference and Research, Queensland, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Queensland, Australia
| | - Frank von Sonnenburg
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Andrew Corwin
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, US Embassy, Vientiane, Laos
| | - Xavier de Lamballerie
- UMR_D 190 “Emergence des Pathologies Virales”, Aix-Marseille University, IRD French Institute of Research for Development, EHESP French School of Public Health, Marseille, France
| | - Iveth J González
- Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND), Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - Amy Cawthorne
- WHO–Regional Office for the Western Pacific, Manila, Philippines
| | - David Bell
- Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Paul N Newton
- Lao Oxford Mahosot Hospital Wellcome Trust Research Unit (LOMWRU), Microbiology Laboratory, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Laos
- Centre for Tropical Medicine, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Correspondence to: Dr Paul Newton, Lao Oxford Mahosot Hospital Wellcome Trust Research Unit (LOMWRU), Microbiology Laboratory, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Laos
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49
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Chikeka I, Dumler JS. Neglected bacterial zoonoses. Clin Microbiol Infect 2015; 21:404-15. [PMID: 25964152 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2015.04.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2014] [Revised: 04/24/2015] [Accepted: 04/25/2015] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Bacterial zoonoses comprise a group of diseases in humans or animals acquired by direct contact with or by oral consumption of contaminated animal materials, or via arthropod vectors. Among neglected infections, bacterial zoonoses are among the most neglected given emerging data on incidence and prevalence as causes of acute febrile illness, even in areas where recognized neglected tropical diseases occur frequently. Although many other bacterial infections could also be considered in this neglected category, five distinct infections stand out because they are globally distributed, are acute febrile diseases, have high rates of morbidity and case fatality, and are reported as commonly as malaria, typhoid or dengue virus infections in carefully designed studies in which broad-spectrum diagnoses are actively sought. This review will focus attention on leptospirosis, relapsing fever borreliosis and rickettsioses, including scrub typhus, murine typhus and spotted fever group rickettsiosis. Of greatest interest is the lack of distinguishing clinical features among these infections when in humans, which confounds diagnosis where laboratory confirmation is lacking, and in regions where clinical diagnosis is often attributed to one of several perceived more common threats. As diseases such as malaria come under improved control, the real impact of these common and under-recognized infections will become evident, as will the requirement for the strategies and allocation of resources for their control.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Chikeka
- Departments of Pathology and Microbiology & Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - J S Dumler
- Departments of Pathology and Microbiology & Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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50
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Hamaguchi S, Cuong NC, Tra DT, Doan YH, Shimizu K, Tuan NQ, Yoshida LM, Mai LQ, Duc-Anh D, Ando S, Arikawa J, Parry CM, Ariyoshi K, Thuy PT. Clinical and Epidemiological Characteristics of Scrub Typhus and Murine Typhus among Hospitalized Patients with Acute Undifferentiated Fever in Northern Vietnam. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2015; 92:972-978. [PMID: 25778504 PMCID: PMC4426587 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.14-0806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2014] [Accepted: 01/20/2015] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
A descriptive study on rickettsiosis was conducted at the largest referral hospital in Hanoi, Vietnam, to identify epidemiological and clinical characteristics of specific rickettsiosis. Between March 2001 and February 2003, we enrolled 579 patients with acute undifferentiated fever (AUF), excluding patients with malaria, dengue fever, and typhoid fever, and serologically tested for Orientia tsutsugamushi and Rickettsia typhi. Of the patients, 237 (40.9%) and 193 (33.3%) had scrub and murine typhus, respectively, and 149 (25.7%) had neither of them (non-scrub and murine typhus [non-ST/MT]). The proportion of murine typhus was highest among patients living in Hanoi whereas that of scrub typhus was highest in national or regional border areas. The presence of an eschar, dyspnea, hypotension, and lymphadenopathy was significantly associated with a diagnosis of scrub typhus (OR = 46.56, 10.90, 9.01, and 7.92, respectively). Patients with murine typhus were less likely to have these findings but more likely to have myalgia, rash, and relative bradycardia (OR = 1.60, 1.56, and 1.45, respectively). Scrub typhus and murine typhus were shown to be common causes of AUF in northern Vietnam although the occurrence of spotted fever group rickettsiae was not determined. Clinical and epidemiological information may help local clinicians make clinical diagnosis of specific rickettsioses in a resource-limited setting.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Pham Thanh Thuy
- *Address correspondence to Pham Thanh Thuy, Infectious Disease Department, Bach Mai Hospital, 78 Giai Phong Road, Hanoi 84, Vietnam. E-mail:
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