Immunohistochemical study of scrub typhus: a report of two cases.
Scrub typhus is a zoonotic disease caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi, which is transmitted by chiggers. The target cells of this rickettsia are poorly defined in humans. Immunohistochemical staining of tissue sections of patients with scrub typhus is helpful in investigating the target cells of this rickettsia in different organs. We studied two autopsy specimens by immunohistochemical staining using a specific antibody against O. tsutsugamushi. Rickettsiae were located in endothelial cells in all of the organs evaluated, namely heart, lung, brain, kidney, appendix and skin, within cardiac muscle cells and renal tubular epithelial cells, and in macrophages located in the lymph node, liver and spleen. In conclusion, O. tsutsugamushi may disseminate into multiple organs through endothelial cells and macrophages, resulting in the development of fatal complications.
Tseng
Bo-Yuan
BY
Department of Pathology, Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital and University, Hualien, Taiwan.
Yang
Hui-Hua
HH
Liou
Ji-Hung
JH
Chen
Li-Kuang
LK
Hsu
Yung-Hsiang
YH
D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D012285:Orientia tsutsugamushi / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012612:Scrub Typhus / Q000382:microbiology*