Journal of Vector Ecology (2014) 39, 182-189

Theeraphap Chareonviriyaphap, Warinpassorn Leepitakrat, Kriangkrai Lerdthusnee, Chien Chung Chao and Wei Mei Ching (2014)
Dual exposure of Rickettsia typhi and Orientia tsutsugamushi in the field-collected Rattus rodents from Thailand
Journal of Vector Ecology 39 (1), 182-189
Abstract: Field-collected rodents and fleas from ten provinces covering four regions of Thailand were investigated for possible rickettsial pathogen infections. The 257 trapped-rodents belonged to 12 species. Five species of Genus Rattus accounted for 93% of the total capture, of which Rattus exulans and Rattus norvegicus were the two major species caught. All flea specimens, removed from trapped rodents, were identified as Xenopsylla cheopis. The PCR technique was performed on ectoparasite specimens to detect the presence of murine typhus pathogen (Rickettsia typhi) and scrub typhus pathogen (Orientia tsutsugamushi). Thirteen flea specimens (2.6 %) were found to be positive for R. typhi but none for O. tsutsugamushi. An ELISA technique was used to detect the rodent's antibodies against R. typhi and O. tsutsugamushi. Sixty-one rodent serum samples (23.7%) were positive for R. typhi specific IgM, IgG, or both, while 47 of the samples (18.3%) were positive for O. tsutsugamushi. Twenty serum samples from R. norvegicus (7.8%) had detectable antibodies against both R. typhi and O. tsutsugamushi. Our findings revealed the existence of the dual infection of rickettsial pathogens in the same natural hosts.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Theeraphap Chareonviriyaphap

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
general biology - morphology - evolution

---

Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Xenopsylla cheopis		Thailand
	Rattus rattus		Thailand
	Rattus exulans		Thailand
	Rattus norvegicus		Thailand