Transovarial transmission of Orientia tsutsugamushi in Leptotrombidium palpale (Acari: Trombiculidae).
Transovarial transmission of Orientia tsutsugamushi in colonies of Leptotrombidium palpale was studied in the parent and F1 and F2 generations. Both transovarial transmission and filial infection rates were 100% in the parent and F1 generations of Leptotrombidium palpale. The filial infection rate in the F1 generation was 100%, but it declined to 94.3% in the F2 progeny. The sex ratio of the F1 generation from infected L. palpale was 1∶0.8 (male:female) and the proportion of males was relatively high. This study is the first to report on the transovarial transmission of O. tsutsugamushi in L. palpale. High transovarial transmission rates in L. palpale suggest that this species might be one of the major vectors of tsutsugamushi disease in Korea.
Division of Medical Entomology, Center for Immunology and Pathology, Korea National Institute of Health, Cheongwon, South Korea.
Eun Hee
EH
Shin
Division of Medical Entomology, Center for Immunology and Pathology, Korea National Institute of Health, Cheongwon, South Korea.
Jong Yul
JY
Roh
Division of Medical Entomology, Center for Immunology and Pathology, Korea National Institute of Health, Cheongwon, South Korea.
Won Il
WI
Park
Division of Medical Entomology, Center for Immunology and Pathology, Korea National Institute of Health, Cheongwon, South Korea.
Bong Gu
BG
Song
Division of Medical Entomology, Center for Immunology and Pathology, Korea National Institute of Health, Cheongwon, South Korea.
Kyu-Sik
KS
Chang
Division of Medical Entomology, Center for Immunology and Pathology, Korea National Institute of Health, Cheongwon, South Korea.
Wook-Gyo
WG
Lee
Division of Biosafety Evaluation and Control, Korea National Institute of Health, Cheongwon, South Korea.
Hee Il
HI
Lee
Division of Arboviruses, Center for Immunology and Pathology, Korea National Institute of Health, Cheongwon, South Korea.
Chan
C
Park
Division of Medical Entomology, Center for Immunology and Pathology, Korea National Institute of Health, Cheongwon, South Korea.
Mi-Yeoun
MY
Park
Division of Medical Entomology, Center for Immunology and Pathology, Korea National Institute of Health, Cheongwon, South Korea.
E-Hyun
EH
Shin
D000818:Animals; D004199:Disease Vectors; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D051189:Murinae; D012285:Orientia tsutsugamushi; D010053:Ovary / Q000382:microbiology*; D010058:Oviposition; D010063:Ovum / Q000382:microbiology; D056910:Republic of Korea; D012612:Scrub Typhus / Q000635:transmission*; D012737:Sex Factors; D014324:Trombiculidae / Q000382:microbiology*