Cross sectional studies on the ectoparasites among rodents in scrub typhus cases in Karnal and Kaithal Districts of Haryana, India

Orientia tsutsugamushi is a mite-borne bacterium belonging to the family Rickettsiaceae and is responsible for a disease called scrub typhus in humans, which is transmitted by the vector mite Leptotrombidium deliense (common ectoparasite on rodents) in most of Asian countries including India. The study conducted in selected villages of Karnal and Kaithal districts of Haryana state, India revealed four species of rodents - Rattus rattus, norveigicus, Bandicota indica and Suncus murinus. Dust mite Dermatophagoides farina; chigger mite L. deliense and fleas Xenopsylla astia and X. cheopis were prevalent on the rodents.