R. Orientia

• What are the characteristics of Orienta?


  • Different rRNA sequences
  • thicker cell wall
  • minimal slime layer
• What are the reservoirs and vectors of Orienta?


  • Mites (red mites or chiggers)
  • Transmits bacterium via transovarial transmission to offspring which then spreads it among rodents and humans
• What does Orientia tsutsugamushi cause?


  • scrub typhus
• Where is scrub typhus endemic?


  • Occurs in US among immigrants from endemic areas (eastern Asia, Australia, Japan, India)
• What are the symptoms of scrub typhus?


  • fever, headache, muscle pain, less than half the patients also develop a rash on trunks or appendages
• How can Orientia be prevented?


  • avoiding exposure to mites
• What is the treatment for Orientia?


  • doxycycline
  • azithromycin