Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Tsutsugamushi Disease in China

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Treatment of Human Parasitosis in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Part of the book series: Parasitology Research Monographs ((Parasitology Res. Monogr.,volume 6))

  • 1146 Accesses

Abstract

Tsutsugamushi disease (Scrub typhus) is caused by the obligate intracellular bacterium Orientia tsutsugamushi that is transmitted by trombiculid mites. Scrub typhus is an infectious disease first discovered in China, as early as 1,600 years ago. There are six species of trombiculid mites that act as scrub typhus vector in different areas of China; another ten species of trombiculid mites have proved to be naturally infected with O. tsutsugamushi. The clinical manifestations of Scrub typhus range from subclinical disease to organ failure to fatal disease. Diagnosis of scrub typhus depends on a history of chigger biting and clinical manifestations with laboratory examination. Doxycycline is a key antibiotic used in scrub typhus patients’ treatment. Prevention and control strategy includes vector and reservoir host control and personal protection and health education.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Chen XT, Hsu BK (1955) Twelve species including one new Genus, six new species and two new variants of chigger mites in China. Acta Zoo Sinica 7(2):101–145

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen SL, Li GY, Li CM et al (2000) First report of tsutsugamushi disease in Heibei province: a preliminary study. Chin J Vector Biol Control 11(3):212–214

    Google Scholar 

  • Ding L, Li Z, Wang XJ, Ding SJ et al (2012) Analysis of epidemic features of scrub typhus between year 2006 and 2010 in Shandong province, China. Zhonghua Yu Fang Yi Xue Za Zhi 46(4):338–342

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Feng Z, Du Y, Zhou YC et al (2008) Clinical analysis of elderly patients with tsutsugamushi in Guangzhou Area. J Trop Med 8(8):819–821

    Google Scholar 

  • Guo HB, Cao M, Tao KH et al (2006) The foci of scrub typhus and strategies of prevention in the Spring in Pingtan Island, Fujian Province. Ann N Y Acad Sci 1078:188–196

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hu WH, Li MX, Liang HY et al (2012) Analysis on epidemiologic features of scrub typhus from 2006 to 2010 in Guangzhou. J Med Pest Control 28(5):522–525

    Google Scholar 

  • Huang JL, Wang SS, Jiang PL et al (2002) Comprehensive prevention on tsutsugamushi disease in Nanpen islands. Chin J Pest Control 18(1): 54–56

    Google Scholar 

  • Jiang ZG, Li BJ, Wu GH et al (2013) Surveillance, prevention and control of Tsutsugamushi disease and chigger mite. Chin J Hyg Insect Equip 19(2):100–104

    Google Scholar 

  • Li JC (1997) Trombiculid mites of China. Guangdong Science and Technology Publishing House, Guangzhou, pp 3–96

    Google Scholar 

  • Li GM, Zhang XX, Deng DS (1988) Experimental rising of Leptotrombidium jishoum and its transovarian transmission for Rickettsita tustsugamushi. Hai Nan Med 5(5):265–266

    Google Scholar 

  • Li JC, Zheng XY, Xi ZY et al (2002) Basic studies on trombiculid mites and vector chiggers mites in the transmission of Tsutsugamushi disease for 45 years. Acad J SUMS 23(1):1–9

    Google Scholar 

  • Li JP, Cai WP, Wang J et al (2009) Clinical characteristics of 30 case of tsutsugamushi disease. Infect Dis Inform 22(1):45–48

    Google Scholar 

  • Liang KC (1952) Report on found of Leptotrombidium deliense in Guangzhou and an easy rising methods of trombiculid mite. Natl Med J China 38(9):759–765

    Google Scholar 

  • Lin SP (1985) Report on Rickettsia tsutsugamushi separated from Wuzhi mountain area of Hainan. Chin J Epidemiol 6(2):121

    Google Scholar 

  • Lin BH, Hai L, Zhou SY et al (1986) A strain of Rickettsia tsutsugamushi separated from Hainan. Nat Sci J Hainan Univ 4(2):1–4

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu GD, Han WG, Li L et al (1991) Natural infection of Orientia tsutsugamushi in health people in sea islands in East part of Liaoning province. Chin J Zoonoses 7(3):60–61

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu JH, Zhu SF, Wang SS et al (2000) Study on chemical control of Leptotrobidium deliense in Nangpeng Island. Chin J Vector Biol Control 11(4):288–289

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu Y, Zhao Z, Yang Z et al (2003) Epidemiological studies on host animals of scrub typhus of the autumn-winter type in Shandong Province, China. Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health 34(4):826–830

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Liu YX, Cao WC, Gao Y et al (2006) Orientia tsutsugamushi in eschars from scrub typhus patients. Emerg Infect Dis 12(9):1463–1465

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu F, Yang JW, Zhan YZ (2010) Multiple organ injure induced by scrub typhus. China Mod Doc 48(14):1–3

    Google Scholar 

  • Lv YC, Liang YY.(2000) Research on tsutsugamushi in Guangxi. Res of scrub typhus in China. Asian Medicine Publishing House, pp 172–176

    Google Scholar 

  • Peng SJ, Xie MZ (1949) Study on the discovery of Tsutsugamushi disease in Guangzhou. Zhong Shan Med Rep 4(1–2):3–9

    Google Scholar 

  • Su DM, Jiang RJ, Wang ZD et al (1989) Investigation report on outbreak of tsutsugamushi disease in Dongtai City. Jiangsu Med J 5:231–239

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang DQ, Liao HR (1984) The significance of the distribution of Apodemus agrarius in Fujian and its medical important in zoogeographical division. J Fujian Med Col 18(1):59–61

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang DQ (1988) Classification of vector chigger mites in China. Endem Dis Bull 3(3):94–100

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang JL (1992) Study on scrub typhus epidemiology in Shandong province. J Linyi Med School 14(2):155–157

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang S (2009) Clinical analysis of complications in 500 tsutsugamsuhi disease patients. China Trop Med 9(8):1524

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang JL, Gong TM, Wang YQ (1996) Epidemic characteristics of scrub typhus in China. Chin J Infect Dis 14(2):105–107

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang SS, Liang L, Tang ZY et al (2001) The effect of health education on preventing tsutsugamushi disease in the crowds. Mod Prev Med 28(4):438–440

    Google Scholar 

  • Wei JJ, Tong GZ, Shi SF (1988) Biting test of Leptotrombidium insularae. Bull Acad Mil Med Sci 12(2):107–111

    Google Scholar 

  • Wu GH (2005) Investigation on vector mites of scrub typhus in China. Chin J Vector Biol Control 16(6):485–487

    Google Scholar 

  • Wu JB (2010) Research progress of scrub typhus foci in China. Anhui J Prev Med 116(6):467–469

    Google Scholar 

  • Wu GH, Zhang Y, Guo HB (2004) Study on transovarian transmission of pathogen in Leptotrombidium scutellare. Chin J Vector Biol Control 15(4):301–303

    Google Scholar 

  • Wu GH, Xu MH, Liu Y et al (2012) Study on biting and transmission of Orientia tsutsugamushi in Leptotrombidium gaohuense. Chin J Hyg Insect Equip 18(1):8–10

    Google Scholar 

  • Xia SL, Sheng XQ, Deng WB et al (2007) The lab identification on tsutsugamushi disease for the first outbreak in Henan Province. Chin J Vector Biol Control 18(3):230–233

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Xu J, Chen LF, Lu ZX et al (1999) Serological survey on Rickettsia tsutsugamushi infection in part of the population in Heilongjiang province. Chin J Pub Health 15(12):1117–1118

    Google Scholar 

  • Yao ZQ, Wang ZX (2012) Clinical observation on scrub typhus treatment combine with Chinese traditional and modern medicine. Chin Commun Doc 14(311):245

    Google Scholar 

  • Yu ES, Wu XY (1959) Research on the morphological distinctions and their ability in transovarian transmission of Rickettsia tsutsugamushi between two species of trombiculid mite in Genus Leptotrobidium. Acta Micro Sinica 7(1–2):10–15

    Google Scholar 

  • Yu ES (2000) Research of scrub typhus in China. Asian Medicine Publishing House, p 1–37

    Google Scholar 

  • Yu LC, Wang MR, He CL et al (2009) The diagnostic value of Weil-Felix test and colloidal gold immunochromatographic assay for tsutsugamushi disease. Jiangsu Med J 35(12):1395–1397

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhan YZ, Guo XG, Zuo XH et al (2002) Preliminary survey on the distribution of Leptotrombidium deliense in some areas of Yunnan province. Chin J Epidemiol 32(1):13–16

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhan YZ, Yin Z, Guo XG et al (2010) Application of PCR and related techniques in the examination of Orientia tsutsugamushi. Chin J Parasitol Parasit Dis 28(4):308–312

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang YW, Long LM (2011) Comparison of clinical manifestations of scrub typhus between child and adult patients. J Guang D Med Coll 29(1):37–38

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang M, Zhao ZT, Wang XJ et al (2012) Scrub typhus: surveillance, clinical profile and diagnostic issues in Shandong, China. Am J Trop Med Hyg 87(6):1099–1104

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao SX (1953) Research on the discover of tsutsugamushi disease in Guangzhou. Acta Micro Sinica 1(1):42–55

    Google Scholar 

  • Zheng XY, Li JC, Ni H et al (1995) Experimental study on dynamic state of Rickettsia tsutsugamushi in trombiculids. Chin J Zoonoses 11(3):6–10

    Google Scholar 

  • Zheng XZ, Huo Q, Jiang ZL et al (1997) Epidemiological investigation of scrub typhus in Southern Shanxi Province. J Prev Med Chin Peoples Lib Army 15(3):198–199

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhou YP (2013) Analysis the effective of treating 100 scrub typhus patients with doxycycline. Chin Foreign Med Treat 11:105–106

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Parasitology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China

    Xiaoying Zheng

Authors
  1. Xiaoying Zheng
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Xiaoying Zheng .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Cell Biology and Parasitology, Heinrich Heine University Department of Zoomorphology, DĂĽsseldorf, Germany

    Heinz Mehlhorn

  2. Department of Parasitology, Sun Yat-sen University Zhongshan School of Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China, People's Republic

    Zhongdao Wu

  3. Chongqing Medical University Pathogenic Biology, Chongqing, China, People's Republic

    Bin Ye

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2014 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Zheng, X. (2014). Tsutsugamushi Disease in China. In: Mehlhorn, H., Wu, Z., Ye, B. (eds) Treatment of Human Parasitosis in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Parasitology Research Monographs, vol 6. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-39824-7_16

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation