[Study on the characteristics of Tsutsugamushi disease in the epidemic areas of south islands in China].
OBJECTIVE
To study the increasing incidence and the characteristics of Tsutsugamushi disease in the areas of Nan Peng Lie islands, Nan Ao island, Wan Shan archipelago, Nao Zhou island and Lei Zhou peninsula, located in the southern part of China and to develop strategies for preventive measures.


METHODS
Both epidemiological investigation, isolation and gene identification of Orientia tsutsugamushi, as well as pilot preventive measures were carried out.


RESULTS
These islands belonged to the epidemic area of south subtropical zone of Tsutsugamushi disease. The main host was Rattus norvegicu and the overall rates of infection on Orientia tsutsugamushi were 22.78%-33.75%. The main biological vector was Leptotrombidium (Leptotrombidium) deliens and the rates of infection on Orientia tsutsugamushi were 40.00%-75.00%. 25 strains of Orientia tsutsugamushi had been isolated from Rattus norvegicu and Leptotrombidium (Leptotrombidium) deliens. Results showed that the isolated strains of Orientia tsutsugamushi were 15 Karp, 8 Kato, 2 Yonchon. Results from serological studies showed that the positive rate of anti-Orientia tsutsugamushi antibodies was high, in both residents and soldiers stationed in these islands. On these islands, rats and biological vectors were killed. Results showed that these measures had positive impact in reducing the incidence.


CONCLUSIONS
Islands from the southern part of the country belonged to the epidemic area of Tsutsugamushi disease. People visiting this areas should be under protection.
Wang
Shan-shan
SS
Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Guangzhou Command People's Liberation Army, Guangzhou 510507, China.
Huang
Jia-liang
JL
Su
Jian-xin
JX
Xi
Yun-zhen
YZ
Wang
Yan
Y
Li
Min-min
MM
D000818:Animals; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood; D015373:Bacterial Typing Techniques; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D004197:Disease Reservoirs / Q000382:microbiology; D005843:Geography; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D012285:Orientia tsutsugamushi / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D051381:Rats; D012612:Scrub Typhus / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014324:Trombiculidae / Q000382:microbiology
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial