Emerging Infectious Diseases (Jul 2024)

Evidence of Orientia spp. Endemicity among Severe Infectious Disease Cohorts, Uganda

  • Paul W. Blair,
  • Kenneth Kobba,
  • Stephen Okello,
  • Sultanah Alharthi,
  • Prossy Naluyima,
  • Emily Clemens,
  • Hannah Kibuuka,
  • Danielle V. Clark,
  • Francis Kakooza,
  • Mohammed Lamorde,
  • Yukari C. Manabe,
  • J. Stephen Dumler,
  • Acute Febrile Illness

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3201/eid3007.231040
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 30, no. 7
pp. 1442 – 1446

Abstract

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At 3 severe infection cohort sites in Uganda, Orientia seropositivity was common. We identified 4 seroconversion cases and 1 PCR-positive case. These results provide serologic and molecular support for Orientia spp. circulating in sub-Saharan Africa, possibly expanding its endemic range. Orientia infections could cause severe illness and hospitalizations in this region.

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