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Kim S, Lee IY, Monoldorova S, Kim J, Seo JH, Yong TS, Jeon BY. Prevalence of chigger mites and Orientia tsutsugamushi strains in northern regions of Gangwon-do, Korea. PARASITES, HOSTS AND DISEASES 2023; 61:263-271. [PMID: 37648231 PMCID: PMC10471477 DOI: 10.3347/phd.22148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
The present study aimed to survey the prevalence of chigger mites and Orientia tsutsugamushi (O. tsutsugamushi) infection in the northern regions of Gangwon-do, Korea. From early February to early June 2015, a total of 17,050 chiggers were collected from striped field mice, Apodemus agrarius, in Cheorwon-gun, Hwacheon-gun, Yanggu-gun, and Goseong-gun, which are well-known endemic areas of scrub typhus in Korea. The chiggers were analyzed using molecular genomic methods, as previously described. Among the 7,964 identified chiggers, the predominant species was Leptotrombidium pallidum (76.9%), followed by L. zetum (16.4%), L. orientale (4.3%), L. palpale (0.3%), L. tectum (0.2%), and Neotrombicula tamiyai (1.8%). The chigger index (CI) was highest in Hwacheon (115.58), followed by Cheorwon (97.02), Yanggu (76.88), and Goseong (54.68). Out of the 79 O. tsutsugamushi-positive chigger pools, 67 (84.8%) were identified as the Boryong strain, 10 (12.7%) as the Youngworl strain, and only 2 were the Jecheon strain. Based on the high infestation of chiggers in striped field rodents and the high rate of O. tsutsugamushi infection in chigger mites, Hwacheon-gun and Cheorwon-gun are presumed to be high-risk areas for scrub typhus. Furthermore, L. pallidum, a major vector of scrub typhus, and the dominant O. tsutsugamushi serotype, the Boryong strain, were found in the northern regions of Gangwon-do, Korea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soojin Kim
- Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, College of Software and Digital Healthcare Convergence, Yonsei University, Wonju 26493,
Korea
| | - In Yong Lee
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Institute of Tropical Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722,
Korea
| | - Sezim Monoldorova
- Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, College of Software and Digital Healthcare Convergence, Yonsei University, Wonju 26493,
Korea
| | - Jiro Kim
- Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, College of Software and Digital Healthcare Convergence, Yonsei University, Wonju 26493,
Korea
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Science, Cheju Halla University, Jeju 63092,
Korea
| | - Jang Hoon Seo
- Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, Shinhan University, Uijeongbu 11644,
Korea
| | - Tai-Soon Yong
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Institute of Tropical Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722,
Korea
| | - Bo Young Jeon
- Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, College of Software and Digital Healthcare Convergence, Yonsei University, Wonju 26493,
Korea
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Lee HJ, Park C. Distribution Variations of Chigger Mites Collected in Jinan, Jeollabuk-do. KOREAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE 2021. [DOI: 10.15324/kjcls.2021.53.4.317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Hyeok Jae Lee
- Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, Gwangju Health University, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Chul Park
- Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, Gwangju Health University, Gwangju, Korea
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Lee IY, Lim JW, Seo JH, Kim HC, Lee KJ, Yong TS, Lee WJ, Yu JR, Sim S. Geographical Distribution and Epidemiologic Factors of Chigger Mites on Apodemus agrarius during Autumn in Korea. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY 2021; 59:473-479. [PMID: 34724766 PMCID: PMC8561048 DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2021.59.5.473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
A nationwide survey of chigger mites causing scrub typhus and an investigation of epidemiologic factors for chigger mites was conducted at 16 localities in 8 provinces in Korea during autumn 2009, 2012, and 2013. A total of 233 Apodemus agrarius were captured, and all were infested with chigger mites. The chigger index was highest in Chungcheongbuk-do in 2009 (358.3) and 2012 (290.1) and Chungcheongnam-do in 2013 (294.4). The predominant chigger mite species was Leptotrombidium pallidum in the northern and central parts and L. scutellare in the southern and western parts, Korea. L. pallidum was not found in Jellanam-do and Gyeongsangnam-do and the distribution of L. scutellare had been expanded in the northern parts of Korea. The chigger index of L. pallidum was positively correlated with temperature and negatively correlated with humidity. The incidence of scrub typhus is dependent on L. scutellare index. These findings could be helpful to monitor the distribution of chigger mites and to develop a preventive measures for scrub typhus in Korea.
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Affiliation(s)
- In Yong Lee
- Department of Environmental Medical Biology and Institute of Tropical Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea
| | - Jae-Won Lim
- Biological Resources Research Department, National Institute of Biological Resources, Inchoen 22689, Korea
| | - Jang Hoon Seo
- Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, Shinhan University, Uijeongbu 11644, Korea
| | - Heung Chul Kim
- 5th Medical Detachment, 168th Multifunctional Medical Battalion, 65th Medical Brigade, Unit 15247, APO 96205-5247, USA
| | - Ku Jae Lee
- Department of Environmental Medical Biology, Wonju Yonsei University College of Medicine, Wonju 26426, Korea
| | - Tai-Soon Yong
- Department of Environmental Medical Biology and Institute of Tropical Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea
| | - Won-Ja Lee
- Department of Environmental Medical Biology and Institute of Tropical Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Korea
| | - Jae-Ran Yu
- KU Open Innovation Center, Department of Environmental and Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine, Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, Korea
| | - Seobo Sim
- KU Open Innovation Center, Department of Environmental and Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine, Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, Korea
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Nationwide Incidence of Chigger Mite Populations and Molecular Detection of Orientia tsutsugamushi in the Republic of Korea, 2020. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9081563. [PMID: 34442642 PMCID: PMC8400602 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9081563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Revised: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency has established regional centers at 16 locations to monitor vectors and pathogens. We investigated the geographical and temporal distribution of chigger mite populations to understand tsutsugamushi disease epidemiology in 2020. To monitor weekly chigger mite populations, 3637 chigger mites were collected from sticky chigger mite traps in autumn. Chigger mites appeared from the first week of October to the third week of December, peaking in the fourth week of October. The predominant species were Leptotrombidium scutellare, Leptotrombidium palpale, Neotrombicula kwangneungensis, Neotrombicula tamiyai, and Leptotrombidium pallidum. To monitor Orientia tsutsugamushi infection in chigger mites, 50,153 chigger mites were collected from 499 trapped wild rodents in spring and autumn, with a chigger index of 100.5. Approximately 50% of chigger mites were pooled into 998 pools, and the minimum infection rate (MIR) of O. tsutsugamushi was 0.1%. Jeongeup had the highest MIR for O. tsutsugamushi (0.7%). The Kato-related genotype was the most common (52.2%), followed by the Karp-related (17.4%), Boryong (13.0%), JG-related (8.7%), Shimokoshi (4.3%), and Kawasaki (4.3%) genotypes. Ecological and geographical studies focusing on the basic ecology and pathology of mites will improve our understanding of tsutsugamushi disease risks in the Republic of Korea.
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Acosta-Jamett G, Martínez-Valdebenito C, Beltrami E, Silva-de La Fuente MC, Jiang J, Richards AL, Weitzel T, Abarca K. Identification of trombiculid mites (Acari: Trombiculidae) on rodents from Chiloé Island and molecular evidence of infection with Orientia species. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0007619. [PMID: 31971956 PMCID: PMC6999909 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2019] [Revised: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Scrub typhus is an emerging vector-borne zoonosis, caused by Orientia spp. and transmitted by larvae of trombiculid mites, called chiggers. It mainly occurs within a region of the Asia-Pacific called the tsutsugamushi triangle, where rodents are known as the most relevant hosts for the trombiculid vector. However, the reservoir(s) and vector(s) of the scrub typhus outside Asia-Pacific are unknown. The disease has recently been discovered on and is considered endemic for Chiloé Island in southern Chile. The aim of the present work was to detect and determine the prevalence of chiggers on different rodent species captured in probable sites for the transmission of orientiae responsible for scrub typhus on Chiloé Island in southern Chile and to molecularly examine collected chiggers for the presence of Orientia DNA. Methodology/Principal findings During the austral summer 2018, rodents were live-trapped in six sites and examined for chigger infestation. All study sites were rural areas on Chiloé Island, previously identified as probable localities where human cases acquired the scrub typhus. During a total of 4,713 trap-nights, 244 rodents of seven species were captured: the most abundant was Abrothrix olivacea. Chiggers were detected on all seven rodent species with a 55% prevalence rate. Chiggers showed low host specificity and varied according to site specific host abundance. Three genera of trombiculids were identified. Herpetacarus was the most abundant genus (93%), prevalent in five of the six sites. Infestation rates showed site specific differences, which were statistically significant using a GLM model with binomial errors. Molecular analyses proved that 21 of 133 (15.8%) mite pools were positive for Orientia species, all of them belonged to the genus Herpetacarus. Conclusions/Significance This study firstly reports the presence of different rodent-associated chigger mites positive for Orientia sp., in a region endemic for scrub typhus in southern Chile. Herpetacarus and two other genera of mites were found with high infestation rates of rodents in sites previously identified as probable exposure of scrub typhus cases. A substantial percentage of mite pools were positive for Orientia DNA, suggesting that chigger mites serve as vectors and reservoirs of this emerging zoonosis in South America. Scrub typhus is a chigger-transmitted zoonotic infection caused by Orientia species, which is endemic to the tsutsugamushi triangle in Asia-Pacific region. Recently, a focus of scrub typhus in South America has been confirmed on Chiloé Island in southern Chile. However, the vectors of scrub typhus in this region remain unknown. We undertook a survey to study the presence of chiggers on different rodent species in areas identified as probable sites of exposure to scrub typhus on Chiloé Island. The study showed that 55% of rodents were infested by trombiculids. Three mite genera were identified, of which Herpetacarus was the most abundant. Chiggers showed low host specificity, but spatial differences. Using molecular techniques, the trombiculid mites were found to be infected with Orientia species. These findings suggest that chigger mites play a role in the life cycle and transmission of this emerging infectious disease in Chile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerardo Acosta-Jamett
- Instituto de Medicina Preventiva Veterinaria, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
- Programa de Investigación Aplicada en Fauna Silvestre, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Constanza Martínez-Valdebenito
- Departamento de Enfermedades Infecciosas e Inmunología Pediátricas, Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Laboratorio de Infectología y Virología Molecular, Red Salud UC–Christus, Santiago, Chile
| | - Esperanza Beltrami
- Instituto de Medicina Preventiva Veterinaria, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
- Escuela de Graduados, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - María Carolina Silva-de La Fuente
- Departamento de Ciencias Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
- Programa de Doctorado en Ciencias Veterinarias, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Concepción, Chillán, Chile
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad San Sebastián, Concepción, Chile
| | - Ju Jiang
- Viral and Rickettsial Diseases Department, Naval Medical Research Center, Silver Spring, MD, United States of America
| | - Allen L. Richards
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Biostatistics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States of America
| | - Thomas Weitzel
- Laboratorio Clínico, Clínica Alemana de Santiago, Facultad de Medicina Clínica Alemana, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
- Hantavirus and Zoonoses Program, Instituto de Ciencias e Innovación en Medicina (ICIM), Facultad de Medicina Clínica Alemana, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
- * E-mail: (TW); (KA)
| | - Katia Abarca
- Departamento de Enfermedades Infecciosas e Inmunología Pediátricas, Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- * E-mail: (TW); (KA)
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Kim SY, Gill B, Song BG, Chu H, Park WI, Lee HI, Shin EH, Cho SH, Roh JY. Annual Fluctuation in Chigger Mite Populations and Orientia Tsutsugamushi Infections in Scrub Typhus Endemic Regions of South Korea. Osong Public Health Res Perspect 2019; 10:351-358. [PMID: 31897364 PMCID: PMC6927423 DOI: 10.24171/j.phrp.2019.10.6.05] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives Chigger mites are vectors for scrub typhus. This study evaluated the annual fluctuations in chigger mite populations and Orientia tsutsugamushi infections in South Korea. Methods During 2006 and 2007, chigger mites were collected monthly from wild rodents in 4 scrub typhus endemic regions of South Korea. The chigger mites were classified based on morphological characteristics, and analyzed using nested PCR for the detection of Orientia tsutsugamushi. Results During the surveillance period, the overall trapping rate for wild rodents was 10.8%. In total, 17,457 chigger mites (representing 5 genera and 15 species) were collected, and the average chigger index (representing the number of chigger mites per rodent), was 31.7. The monthly chigger index was consistently high (> 30) in Spring (March to April) and Autumn (October to November). The mite species included Leptotrombidium pallidum (43.5%), L. orientale (18.9%), L. scutellare (18.1%), L. palpale (10.6%), and L. zetum (3.6%). L. scutellare and L. palpale populations, were relatively higher in Autumn. Monthly O. tsutsugamushi infection rates in wild rodents (average: 4.8%) and chigger mites (average: 0.7%) peaked in Spring and Autumn. Conclusion The findings demonstrated a bimodal pattern of the incidence of O. tsutsugamushi infections. Higher infection rates were observed in both wild rodents and chigger mites, in Spring and Autumn. However, this did not reflect the unimodal incidence of scrub typhus in Autumn. Further studies are needed to identify factors, such as human behavior and harvesting in Autumn that may explain this discordance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seong Yoon Kim
- Division of Vectors and Parasitic Diseases, Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cheongju, Korea
| | - Byoungchul Gill
- Division of Laboratory Diagnosis Management, Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cheongju, Korea
| | - Bong Gu Song
- Division of Vectors and Parasitic Diseases, Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cheongju, Korea
| | - Hyuk Chu
- Division of Bacterial Disease Research, Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cheongju, Korea
| | - Won Il Park
- Division of Vectors and Parasitic Diseases, Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cheongju, Korea
| | - Hee Il Lee
- Division of Vectors and Parasitic Diseases, Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cheongju, Korea
| | - E-Hyun Shin
- Division of Vectors and Parasitic Diseases, Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cheongju, Korea
| | - Shin-Hyeong Cho
- Division of Vectors and Parasitic Diseases, Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cheongju, Korea
| | - Jong Yul Roh
- Division of Vectors and Parasitic Diseases, Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cheongju, Korea
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Lee HJ, Park C. Distribution of Chigger Mites as Tsutsugamushi Vectors Sampled in Seogwipo. KOREAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE 2019. [DOI: 10.15324/kjcls.2019.51.3.344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Hyeok Jae Lee
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Science, Gwangju Health Science University, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Chul Park
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Science, Gwangju Health Science University, Gwangju, Korea
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Choi YJ, Lee IY, Song HJ, Kim J, Park HJ, Song D, Jang WJ. Geographical distribution of Orientia tsutsugamushi strains in chiggers from three provinces in Korea. Microbiol Immunol 2018; 62:547-553. [PMID: 30035807 DOI: 10.1111/1348-0421.12639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2018] [Revised: 05/15/2018] [Accepted: 07/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Chiggers were collected from the central and southern parts of South Korea between April and November, 2009 with the aim of investigating the seasonal and geographical distribution of Or. A total of 1136 chiggers were identified. They included eight species belonging to four genera, as follows: Leptotrombidium scutellare (27.2%, n = 309), L. pallidum (54.6%, n = 621), L. orientale (6.25%, n = 71), L. palpale (1.59%, n = 18), L. zetum (2.0%, n = 23), Euschoengastia koreaensis (1.5%, n = 17), Cheladonta ikaoensis (0.08%, n = 1) and Neotrombicula japonica (1.05%, n = 12). The density of L. pallidum was high from April to May, whereas L. scutallare was not found in spring, being observed from October. Serotype-specific nested PCR targeting the 56 kDa protein gene and sequencing analysis identified that the strains of 1136 O. tsutsugamushi in the chiggers as Boryong (6.8%), Kanda (0.4%), Oishi (0.3%), Jecheon (0.1%), Youngworl (0.1%) and Wonju (0.1%). Our findings indicate that L. pallidum and L. scutellare are dominant species in Korea and have geographical and seasonal variations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeon-Joo Choi
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 143 701, Korea
| | - In-Yong Lee
- Department of Environmental Medical Biology, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seoul 120 752, Korea
| | - Hyeon-Je Song
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Gwangju Health College, 73 Bungmun Dae-ro, Gwangju 506 701, Korea
| | - Jeoungyeon Kim
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 143 701, Korea
| | - Hye-Jin Park
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 143 701, Korea
| | - Dayoung Song
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 143 701, Korea
| | - Won-Jong Jang
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 143 701, Korea
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Song H. Distribution and Population Density of Rodents and Chigger Mites in Gokseong-gun of Jeollanam-do, Korea. KOREAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE 2016. [DOI: 10.15324/kjcls.2016.48.3.242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Hyeonje Song
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Gwangju Health University, Gwangju 62287, Korea
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Kim YJ, Park S, Premaratna R, Selvaraj S, Park SJ, Kim S, Kim D, Kim MS, Shin DH, Choi KC, Kwon SH, Seo W, Lee NT, Kim SH, Kang HK, Kim YW. Clinical Evaluation of Rapid Diagnostic Test Kit for Scrub Typhus with Improved Performance. J Korean Med Sci 2016; 31:1190-6. [PMID: 27478327 PMCID: PMC4951546 DOI: 10.3346/jkms.2016.31.8.1190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2016] [Accepted: 05/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Diagnosis of scrub typhus is challenging due to its more than twenty serotypes and the similar clinical symptoms with other acute febrile illnesses including leptospirosis, murine typhus and hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome. Accuracy and rapidity of a diagnostic test to Orientia tsutsugamushi is an important step to diagnose this disease. To discriminate scrub typhus from other diseases, the improved ImmuneMed Scrub Typhus Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) was evaluated in Korea and Sri Lanka. The sensitivity at the base of each IgM and IgG indirect immunofluorescent assay (IFA) in Korean patients was 98.6% and 97.1%, and the specificity was 98.2% and 97.7% respectively. The sensitivity and specificity for retrospective diagnosis at the base of IFA in Sri Lanka was 92.1% and 96.1%. ImmuneMed RDT was not reactive to any serum from seventeen diseases including hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (n = 48), leptospirosis (n = 23), and murine typhus (n = 48). ImmuneMed RDT shows superior sensitivity (98.6% and 97.1%) compared with SD Bioline RDT (84.4% at IgM and 83.3% at IgG) in Korea. The retrospective diagnosis of ImmuneMed RDT exhibits 94.0% identity with enzyme-linked Immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using South India patient serum samples. These results suggest that this RDT can replace other diagnostic tests and is applicable for global diagnosis of scrub typhus. This rapid and accurate diagnosis will be beneficial for diagnosing and managing scrub typhus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young-Jin Kim
- Institute of Medical Science, School of Medicine, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Korea
| | - Sungman Park
- Institute of Medical Science, School of Medicine, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Korea
| | - Ranjan Premaratna
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Ragama, Sri Lanka
| | - Stephen Selvaraj
- Department of Microbiology, Mahatma Gandhi Medical College & Research Institute, Pondicherry, India
| | - Sang-Jin Park
- Institute of Medical Science, School of Medicine, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Korea
| | - Sora Kim
- Institute of Medical Science, School of Medicine, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Korea
| | - Donghwan Kim
- Institute of Medical Science, School of Medicine, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Korea
| | - Min Soo Kim
- Institute of Medical Science, School of Medicine, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Korea
| | - Dong Hoon Shin
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Hallym University College of Medicine, Chuncheon, Korea
| | - Kyung-Chan Choi
- Department of Pathology, Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, Chuncheon, Korea
| | - Soon-Hwan Kwon
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Research Center for Infectious & Environmental Diseases, Armed Forces Medical Research Institute, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Wonjun Seo
- Agency for Defense Development, Institute of Civil-Military Technology Cooperation, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Nam Taek Lee
- National Biodefense Research Institute, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul, Korea
| | | | | | - Yoon-Won Kim
- Institute of Medical Science, School of Medicine, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Korea
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Korea
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Park GM, Shin HS. Geographical Distribution and Seasonal Indices of Chigger Mites on Small Mammals Collected on the East Coast of the Republic of Korea. J Parasitol 2015; 102:193-8. [PMID: 26653927 DOI: 10.1645/15-760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The geographical distributions and relative population densities of scrub typhus vector mites collected from small mammals were determined for 5 locations on the east coast of the Republic of Korea. Collection sites included Goseong, Gangneung, and Hoengseong in Gangwon province and Uljin and Yeongdeok in Gyeongbuk province. A total of 275 small mammals including members of Rodentia (rodents) and Soricomorpha (shrews, such as Crocidura lasiura ) belonging to 4 genera and 4 species were captured in the field from 2012 to 2013. Apodemus agrarius was collected most frequently (220, 80%), followed by C. lasiura (25, 9.1%), Mus musculus (15, 5.5%), and Myodes regulus (15, 5.5%). A total of 23,436 larval chigger mites (Family Trombiculidae) belonging to 3 genera and 8 species (Leptotrombidium pallidum, Leptotrombidium scutellare, Leptotrombidium palpale, Leptotrombidium orientale, Leptotrombidium zetum, Neotrombicula tamiyai, Neotrombicula japonica, and Euschoengastica koreaensis) were collected from the small mammals. The predominant chigger species collected during the spring and fall seasons from A. agrarius were L. pallidum (57.6%), L. palpale (14.5%), and L. scutellare (7.9%). Leptotrombidium scutellare was collected only along the southeastern coast at Yeongdeok, Gyeongbuk province. The geographical distribution of scrub typhus vectors and reservoir hosts are important aspects of understanding the epidemiology of the disease as well as the potential impacts of climate change and health risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gab-Man Park
- Department of Environmental Medical Biology and Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, Catholic Kwandong University College of Medicine, 24 Beomil-ro 579 Beon-gil, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do, Korea
| | - Ho-Sung Shin
- Department of Environmental Medical Biology and Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, Catholic Kwandong University College of Medicine, 24 Beomil-ro 579 Beon-gil, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do, Korea
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Coincidence between geographical distribution of Leptotrombidium scutellare and scrub typhus incidence in South Korea. PLoS One 2014; 9:e113193. [PMID: 25500568 PMCID: PMC4264734 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0113193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2014] [Accepted: 09/04/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
To clarify the geographical distribution of scrub typhus vectors in Korea, a survey of larval trombiculid mites was conducted from 2005 to 2007 by collecting wild small mammals twice a year (spring and autumn) at 24 sites nationwide. A total of 67,325 mites representing 4 genera and 14 species were collected from 783 trapped rodents, corresponding to a chigger index (number of chigger mites per rodent) of 86.0. The predominant mite species were Leptotrombidium pallidum (52.6%), Leptotrombiduim scutellare (27.1%), Leptotrombidium palpale (8.2%), Leptotrombidium orientale (5.6%), and Neotrombicula tamiyai (1.7%). However, the proportions of L. scutellare in southern areas, including endemic provinces such as Jeollabuk-Do (34.3%), Jeollanam-Do (49.0%), and Gyeongsangnam-Do (88%), were relatively higher than in central Korean regions where L. pallidum was predominant. In autumn, the ratio of L. scutellare increased to 42% while the ratio of L. pallidum decreased. The geographical distribution map of the L. scutellare chigger index was identical to the incidence pattern of scrub typhus, whereas those of overall mites and L. pallidum showed no relationship with case incidence patterns. Distribution mapping analysis shows an identical geographical distribution of L. scutellare and epidemic incidence of scrub typhus in South Korea. L. pallidum could be another vector at all other parts of the Korean peninsula, including the eastern and northern regions that have a low level of scrub typhus incidence.
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Lee IY, Song HJ, Choi YJ, Shin SH, Choi MK, Kwon SH, Shin EH, Park C, Kim HC, Klein TA, Park KH, Jang WJ. Larval chigger mites collected from small mammals in 3 provinces, Korea. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY 2014; 52:225-9. [PMID: 24850971 PMCID: PMC4028465 DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2014.52.2.225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2013] [Revised: 02/24/2014] [Accepted: 02/25/2014] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
A total of 9,281 larval chigger mites were collected from small mammals captured at Hwaseong-gun, Gyeonggi-do (Province) (2,754 mites from 30 small mammals), Asan city, Chungcheongnam-do (3,358 mites from 48 mammals), and Jangseong-gun, Jeollanam-do (3,169 for 62 mammals) from April-November 2009 in the Republic of Korea (= Korea) and were identified to species. Leptotrombidium pallidum was the predominant species in Hwaseong (95.8%) and Asan (61.2%), while Leptotrombidium scutellare was the predominant species collected from Jangseong (80.1%). Overall, larval chigger mite indices decreased from April (27.3) to June (4.9), then increased in September (95.2) and to a high level in November (169.3). These data suggest that L. pallidum and L. scutellare are the primary vectors of scrub typhus throughout their range in Korea. While other species of larval chigger mites were also collected with some implications in the transmission of Orientia tsutsugamushi, they only accounted for 11.2% of all larval chigger mites collected from small mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- In-Yong Lee
- Department of Environmental Medical Biology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 120-752, Korea
| | - Hyeon-Je Song
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Gwangju Health College, Gwangju 506-701, Korea
| | - Yeon-Joo Choi
- Institute of Global Disease Control and Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul 143-701, Korea
| | - Sun-Hye Shin
- Institute of Global Disease Control and Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul 143-701, Korea
| | - Min-Kyung Choi
- Institute of Global Disease Control and Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul 143-701, Korea
| | - So-Hyun Kwon
- Institute of Global Disease Control and Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul 143-701, Korea
| | - E-Hyun Shin
- Division of Medical Entomology, National Institute of Health, Osong 363-951, Korea
| | - Chan Park
- Division of Medical Entomology, National Institute of Health, Osong 363-951, Korea
| | - Heung-Chul Kim
- 5th Medical Detachment, 168th Multifunctional Medical Battalion, 65th Medical Brigade, USA
| | - Terry A Klein
- Public Health Command Region-Pacific, Camp Zama, Japan
| | - Kyung-Hee Park
- Institute of Global Disease Control and Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul 143-701, Korea
| | - Won-Jong Jang
- Institute of Global Disease Control and Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul 143-701, Korea
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Lee SH, Lee YS, Lee IY, Lim JW, Shin HK, Yu JR, Sim S. Monthly occurrence of vectors and reservoir rodents of scrub typhus in an endemic area of Jeollanam-do, Korea. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY 2012; 50:327-31. [PMID: 23230330 PMCID: PMC3514424 DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2012.50.4.327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2012] [Revised: 09/19/2012] [Accepted: 09/20/2012] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Monthly surveys were conducted to investigate the occurrence of chigger mites and seroprevalence of scrub typhus among small mammals in Jeollanam-do, the southwestern part of Korea, from November 2006 through October 2007. Fifty-eight small mammals, including 57 Apodemus agrarius (98.3%) and 1 Crocidura lasiura (1.7%), were captured, and a total of 4,675 chigger mites representing 4 genera and 8 species were collected from them. The chigger infestation rate among small mammals was 69.0%. The most predominant species in A. agrarius was Leptotrombidium scutellare (54.0%), followed by Leptotrombidium pallidum (39.4%), Leptotrombidium orientale (4.4%), Leptotrombidium palpale (1.1%), Neotrombicula tamiyai (0.6%), Eushoengastia koreaensis (0.3%), Neotrombicula gardellai (0.3%), and Cheladonta ikaoensis (<0.1%). The chigger index of A. agrarius was the highest in October (740.0), followed by November (242.0), September (134.6), March (98.3), February (38.2), January (35.3), December (34.5), April (30.8), and May (1.7). The average antibody positive rate of scrub typhus in wild rodents was 50.0%. The seropositive rates were high in October (100.0%) and November (83.3%), whereas those in other months were relatively low (28.6-57.1%). The chigger index of L. scutellare rapidly increased in September to form an acuminate peak in October, followed by a gradual decline. These results suggest that the outbreak of scrub typhus in the southwestern part of Korean peninsula is mostly due to L. scutellare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seung Hyun Lee
- Department of Microbiology, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Chungju 380-701, Korea
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Kim HC, Lee IY, Chong ST, Richards AL, Gu SH, Song JW, Lee JS, Klein TA. Serosurveillance of scrub typhus in small mammals collected from military training sites near the DMZ, Northern Gyeonggi-do, Korea, and analysis of the relative abundance of chiggers from mammals examined. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY 2010; 48:237-43. [PMID: 20877503 PMCID: PMC2945799 DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2010.48.3.237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2010] [Revised: 07/09/2010] [Accepted: 07/09/2010] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Comprehensive quarterly serosurveillance on scrub typhus in small mammals collected from military training sites located near the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), northern Gyeonggi-do (Province), ROK was conducted to determine the potential rodent-borne and associated ectoparasite disease risks to military personnel. A total of 1,196 rodents and insectivores representing 8 species, Apodemus agrarius (87.3%, n = 1,044), Mus musculus (5.4%, n = 65), Crocidura lasiura (3.3%, n = 40), Microtus fortis (2.6%, n = 31), Micromys minutus (0.3%, n = 4), Tscherskia triton (0.3%, n = 4), Rattus norvegicus (0.3%, n = 4), and Myodes regulus (0.3%, n = 4) were assayed for the presence of antibodies to Orientia tsutsugamushi. O. tsutsugamushi antibodies were detected in 6 of 8 species and seroprevalence determined; A. agrarius (45.6%), M. musculus (23.1%), M. fortis (48.4%), M. minutus (50.0%), T. triton (50.0%), and R. norvegicus (25.0%). A total of 31,184 chigger mites collected from 508 rodents and insectivores were slide-mounted and 10 species belonging to 4 genera were identified. Leptotrombidium pallidum (53.4%) was the most frequently collected, followed by L. palpale (15.7%), Neotrombicula tamiyai (14.3%), L. orientale (10.7%), L. zetum (3.1%), Walchia fragilis (2.1%), and L. gemiticulum (0.8%), while the remaining 3 species, L. subintermedium, N. gardellai, and Euschoengastia koreaensis were rarely observed (prevalence < 10%). In contrast to previous surveys, higher chigger indices of the primary scrub typhus vectors, L. pallidum (165.4), L. orientale (45.0), and L. palpale (21.4), were observed during the spring season.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heung Chul Kim
- 5th Medical Detachment, 168th Multifunctional Medical Detachment, 65th Medical Brigade, Unit #15247, APO AP 96205-5247, USA
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O'Guinn ML, Klein TA, Lee JS, Richards AL, Kim HC, Ha SJ, Shim SH, Baek LJ, Song KJ, Chong ST, Turell MJ, Burkett DA, Schuster A, Lee IY, Yi SH, Sames WJ, Song JW. Serological surveillance of scrub typhus, murine typhus, and leptospirosis in small mammals captured at firing points 10 and 60, Gyeonggi province, Republic of Korea, 2001-2005. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2010; 10:125-33. [PMID: 19402761 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2008.0123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Soldiers from the Republic of Korea and the United States conducting peacetime military operations at various training sites and multiple range complexes located near the demilitarized zone separating North and South Korea are exposed to rodents and their potentially disease-carrying ectoparasites. These diseases include scrub typhus, murine typhus, and leptospirosis. Many of the training sites are rural or semi-rural, surrounded or co-located with various forms of agriculture, and are infested with rodents and insectivores (as well as their ectoparasites), which are commonly found in association with unmanaged tall grasses, scrub, and crawling vegetation habitats. For 5 years, rodents and insectivores were collected seasonally (spring, summer, fall, and winter) at firing points 10 and 60 near the demilitarized zone and serologically tested for the presence of scrub typhus, murine typhus, and leptospirosis antibodies. Of the nine species of small mammals collected, Apodemus agrarius, the common striped field mouse and known reservoir of scrub typhus, was the most frequently collected (90.6%). Only four of the nine species captured, A. agrarius (60.9%), Micromys minutus (100%), Mus musculus (55.6%), and Rattus norvegicus (46.7%), were positive for scrub typhus. Of all the small mammals captured, only A. agrarius was positive for murine typhus (0.3%) and leptospirosis (1.3%). Seasonal and annual prevalence rates based on weight and sex are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica L O'Guinn
- Virology Division, U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, Maryland, USA
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Lee IY, Kim HC, Lee YS, Seo JH, Lim JW, Yong TS, Klein TA, Lee WJ. Geographical distribution and relative abundance of vectors of scrub typhus in the Republic of Korea. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY 2009; 47:381-6. [PMID: 19967086 DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2009.47.4.381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2009] [Revised: 10/08/2009] [Accepted: 10/14/2009] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
A survey to determine the geographical distribution and relative abundance of potential vectors of scrub typhus was conducted from October to November 2006 at 13 localities throughout the Republic of Korea. Apodemus agrarius accounted for 97.6% (80/82) of all rodents, while only 2 Myodes regulus (2/82) were collected. A total of 10,860 chiggers were collected from A. agrarius belonging to 4 genera and 8 species, while only Walchia fragilis (40) was collected from Myodes regulus. Leptotrombidium pallidum (8,137; 74.9%), a vector of scrub typhus, was the predominant species collected from A. agrarius followed by Leptotrombidium scutellare (2,057, 18.9%), Leptotrombidium palpale (279; 2.7%), Leptotrombidium orientale (232; 2.1%), and Leptotrombidium zetum (79; 0.7%), Neotrombicula tamiyai (58; 0.5%), Euschoengastica koreaensis (16; 0.1%), and Cheladonta ikaoensis (2; < 0.1%). L. pallidum was the predominant chigger collected at collection sites in Gangwon (100%), Gyeonggi (87.2%), Chungnam (100%), Chungbuk (100%), Jeonbuk (73.9%), Jeonnam (77.0%), and Gyeongbuk (66.1%) provinces, whereas L. scutellare was the predominant chigger collected in Gyeongnam province (77.9%) and Jeju Island (62.3%). Data suggest a correlation between chigger population abundance and human cases of scrub typhus in Korea.
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Affiliation(s)
- In Yong Lee
- Department of Environmental Medical Biology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 120-752, Korea
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Joo K, Kim MK, Kil SH, Chung MH, Kim JM, Kang JS. Cholestatic Hepatitis Caused by Tongyeong Strain of Orientia tsutsugamushi. Infect Chemother 2009. [DOI: 10.3947/ic.2009.41.2.99] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Kowoon Joo
- Department of Internal Medicine, Inha University College of Medicine, Incheon, Korea
| | - Mee Kyung Kim
- Clinical Research Center, Inha University College of Medicine, Incheon, Korea
| | - Se-Hee Kil
- Clinical Research Center, Inha University College of Medicine, Incheon, Korea
| | - Moon-Hyun Chung
- Department of Internal Medicine, Inha University College of Medicine, Incheon, Korea
| | - Joon-Mee Kim
- Department of Pathology, Inha University College of Medicine, Incheon, Korea
| | - Jae-Seung Kang
- Department of Microbiology, Inha University College of Medicine, Incheon, Korea
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