Novel Vector of Scrub Typhus in Sub-Antarctic Chile: Evidence From Human Exposure
Thomas Weitzel, María Carolina Silva‐de la Fuente, Constanza Martínez-Valdebenito, Alexandr A. Stekolnikov, Caricia Pérez, Ruth Pérez, Cecilia Vial, Katia Abarca, Gerardo Acosta‐Jamett
Abstract
The exposure of a research team to chigger mites in southern Chile allowed the first identification of a trombiculid species as vector and reservoir of scrub typhus outside the tsutsugamushi triangle, providing unique insights into the ecology and transmission of this recently discovered rickettsial infection in South America.
Topics & Concepts
Scrub typhusVector (molecular biology)TyphusRickettsiosisOrientia tsutsugamushiTrombiculidaeTransmission (telecommunications)Identification (biology)EcologyMedicineAcariVirologyBiologyRickettsiaBiochemistryVirusEngineeringRecombinant DNAGeneElectrical engineeringVector-borne infectious diseasesVector-Borne Animal DiseasesMosquito-borne diseases and control