Scrub typhus survey of Biak and Owi islands: ectoparasites of small mammals and rickettsial isolations
Hadi, T.R.; Nalim, S.; Sukaeri, S.; Dennis, D.T.
Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health 11(2): 220-226
1980
ISSN/ISBN: 0125-1562 PMID: 7434073 Document Number: 166148
To obtain a better understanding of the epidemiology and ecology of scrub typhus (caused by Rickettsia tsutsugamushi) on coralline islands in Indonesia and to update information on the transmission of the infection on Biak and Owi (2 small coralline islands off the north coast of Irian Jaya where a very serious outbreak occurred in 1944), a study was carried out on these islands in August 1976. Small mammals and their ectoparasites were surveyed, and 2 species known as vectors of scrub typhus were found: Leptotrombidium deliense (Walch) on Rattus exulans, R. ruber and R. rattus septicus; and L. fletcheri (Wom. & Heas.) on R. exulans, R. leucopus and R. r. septicus. Rickettsia tsutsugamushi was isolated from the spleens of Rattus exulans and R. r. septicus. The favoured ecotope of the mite and rat hosts of Rickettsia tsutsugamushi appeared to be coarse low-lying native vegetation on a porous coralline soil. These and similar nearby coral islands should be considered high risk areas for scrub typhus.