The role of Leptotrombidium scutellare in the transmission of human diseases.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the role of Leptotrombidium (L.) scutellare in the transmission of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) and tsutsugamushi disease of autumn-type.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Four criteria were used to ascertain this mite as transmitting vector of disease: (1) epidemiological evidence; (2) natural infection of pathogen; (3) ability to transmit pathogen via biting; (4) ability to transfer pathogen via transovarian route.

RESULTS

The results indicated that L. scutellare was the dominant species of chigger mite on rats. Its seasonal distribution was correlated with the incidence of these two diseases. This mite could be naturally infected by HFRS virus (HFRSV) and Rickettsia tsutsugamushi (Rt) and the mite could transmit HFRSV and Rt to vertebrates by biting and to its offspring via transovarian transmission.

CONCLUSIONS

These results have proved that L. scutellare can be a transmitting vector of HFRS and tsutsugamushi disease of autumn-type.