Epidemiological Distribution and Potential Risk Factors of Orientia tsutsugamushi Infection in Eastern Uttar Pradesh, India

Background: Scrub typhus (ST) is a rickettsial infection caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi, which presents withflu like symptoms. This disease has been reported from all over India but with slight variations in its pattern.For decreasing the prevalence, preventing new incidences, and predicting the course of the ST, therefore, it iscrucial to gain knowledge and perception of local risk components associated with the disease. The presentstudy aimed to investigate the epidemiological distribution and potential risk factors of O. tsutsugamushiInfection in Eastern Uttar Pradesh (EUP), India.Methods: The serums of ۲۱۱ samples were collected from the suspected cases along with the detailedinformation about the participants such as age, location, and place recorded in case history form (CRF). IgMestimation was performed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) assay.Results: A total of ۵۸ samples (۲۷.۴%) out of ۲۱۱ ones were found to be positive for IgM antibodies against O.tsutsugamushi bacterium. Furthermore, the results were correlated with epidemiological data such as gender,rural or urban background, pets, and occupation. The results showed that ۷۶.۷% of the study participants werefrom rural areas or had bushes around their houses, ۸۸.۳% of them had pets/cattle or frequent encounter withrodents at their houses, and ۳۰.۳% of them had no toilet facilities at home.Conclusions: It was concluded that the proximity to pets/cattle, having rodents in closer vicinity, residing inplaces surrounded by vegetation/farm/bushy areas, and following occupations involving field work increasedthe chances of getting bitten by mites/chiggers. Overall, Orientia tsutsugamushi prevalence increased in EUP,with respect to clinical features, disease presentation, and laboratory diagnosis can help our community toreduce the mortality caused by this infectious disease .

Keywords:

Scrub typhus , Orientia tsutsugamushi , Zoonotic infection , Eastern Uttar Pradesh , Rickettsial infection