Pathogens (Aug 2024)

Estimating the Seroprevalence of Scrub Typhus in Nepal

  • Piyada Linsuwanon,
  • Nutthanun Auysawasdi,
  • Chien-Chung Chao,
  • Wuttikon Rodkvamtook,
  • Binob Shrestha,
  • Samita Bajracharya,
  • Jasmin Shrestha,
  • Sirima Wongwairot,
  • Chawin Limsuwan,
  • Erica Lindroth,
  • Alyssa Mann,
  • Silas Davidson,
  • Elizabeth Wanja,
  • Sanjaya Kumar Shrestha

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens13090736
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 13, no. 9
p. 736

Abstract

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Prior to the devastating earthquake in Nepal in 2015, scrub typhus was not recognized as a highly endemic disease in the country. This contrasted with neighboring India, where scrub typhus is endemic and there have been sporadic outbreaks of severe forms. This discrepancy underscores the limitations in our comprehensive understanding of the scrub typhus epidemiological patterns in Nepal, especially before 2015. To better understand the dynamic and current status of scrub typhus, this study investigated its prevalence among patients with acute febrile illness in two hospitals located in Pokhara city, Kaski district and Bharatpur city, Chitwan district during 2009–2010. Our findings revealed that 31.5% (239 of 759 patients) of the cases were positives for scrub typhus based on serological and pathogen detection assays. These results provide crucial insights into the pre-earthquake endemicity of scrub typhus in Nepal, implying its long-standing presence in the region prior to the significant environmental transformations caused by the 2015 earthquake. This study also emphasizes the need for heightened awareness and improved diagnostic capabilities to effectively manage and control scrub typhus, which remains a significant public health concern in Nepal.

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