South Korean researchers isolate live scrub typhus bacteria from wild mites

Bioengineer.org reported that researchers in South Korea have isolated live Orientia tsutsugamushi bacteria directly from wild-caught trombiculid mites for the first time in the country. Orientia tsutsugamushi is the bacterium that causes scrub typhus, a disease transmitted to humans by larval chigger mites. South Korea is an East Asian nation with a population of about 52 million people. [1][3]

According to Bioengineer.org, the research team recovered viable bacteria using immunodeficient mice and cell culture. The mites were collected from four geographically separated sites across South Korea. [1]

Bioengineer.org reported that the scientists established three genetically distinct strains of the bacterium, which they named Boryong, Kawasaki, and Yonchon. The identity of these strains was confirmed using genetic sequencing, immunofluorescence, and phylogenetic analysis. [1]

Bioengineer.org noted that the isolated bacterial strains have been deposited in the National Culture Collection for Pathogens in Cheongju. They will serve as standard references for future study. [1]