J Bacteriol Virol.  2003 Jun;33(2):131-138.

Epidemilogical Study on Orientia tsutsugamushi Infection of Wild Rodents in Korea

• Rhu SH
• Song YS
• Chung SY
• Moon SS
• Song JW
• Song KJ
• Park KS
• Baek LJ

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the seropositivity for Orientia tsutsugamushi infection among wild rodents captured in farms and mountains of Korea. A total 965 wild rodents of 7 species and 48 Crocidura laciura were captured in farms and mountains of 6 province during 1997~2000 in Korea. Serological evidence for O. tsutsugamushi infection was obtained using O. tsutsugamushi antigens by indirect immunofluorescent antibody technique (IFA). Four hundred eighty four Apodemus agrariusus, 246 Apodemus peninsulae, 179 Eothenomys regulus, 44 Microtus fortis, 6 Micromys minutus, 5 Mus musculus, and 1 Cricetula triton were captured in Gyeonggi, Gangwon, Chungnam, Gyeongbuk, Gyeongnam, and Jeonbuk province. Among them, 59 (12.2%) A. agrariusus, 22 (8.9%) A. peninsulae, 12 (6.7%) E. regulus, 5 (11.4%) M. fortis and 1 (16.7%) M. minutus were IF antibody positive against O. tsutsugamushi Gilliam or Karp strain.

Keyword

Orientia tsutsugamushi; Wild rodents

MeSH Terms

Animals
Arvicolinae
Chungcheongnam-do
Gangwon-do
Gyeonggi-do
Gyeongsangbuk-do
Jeollabuk-do
Korea*
Mice
Murinae
Neptune
Orientia tsutsugamushi*
Rodentia*