[Role of Leptotrombidium (L.) scutellare in transmission of human diseases].

A series of cases of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) in Shaanxi province and autumn-type tsutsugamushi disease in Jiangsu province were studied during 1988 to 1990 and 1986 to 1993 to explore the role of Leptotrombidium (L.) scutellare in transmission of these diseases. Results showed that L. (L.) scutellare is a dominant strain of mites inhabiting in rats and its seasonal fluctuation conformed to the seasonal distribution of these diseases. L. (L.) scutellare could naturally infect with HFRS virus and Rickettsia tsutsugamushi and transmit them by stinging and transovarial route. It indicated that L. (L.) scutellare could be a vector in transmission of HFRS and autumntype tsutsugamushi disease.