The genotypes of Orientia tsutsugamushi, identified in scrub typhus patients in northern Vietnam.

BACKGROUND

There are an estimated one million patients with scrub typhus in the Asia-Pacific region. There are few reports describing the incidence of scrub typhus in Vietnam.

METHODS

Blood samples collected from 63 patients clinically diagnosed as having scrub typhus from July 2015 to September 2016 were subjected to genotyping of Orientia tsutsugamushi.

RESULTS AND

CONCLUSIONS

Of these patients, 42 (67%) tested positive for O. tsutsugamushi, and the most common genotype was identified to be Karp (55%). Other genotypes, TA763, Gilliam type in Japan variant, and Kato were also found in 17%, 17% and 12% of patients, respectively. To better understand the epidemiological landscape of scrub typhus in Vietnam, a countrywide study is needed.

ACCESSION NUMBERS: LC110330-LC110333, LC110336-LC110351 and LC214804-LC214825.