Molecular confirmation of co-infection by pathogenic Leptospira spp. and Orientia tsutsugamushi in patients with acute febrile illness in Thailand

Leptospirosis and scrub typhus are major causes of acute febrile illness in rural Asia, where co-infection is reported to occur based on serologic evidence. We re-examined whether co-infection occurs by using a molecular approach. A duplex real-time polymerase chain reaction was developed that targe...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene 2013-10, Vol.89 (4), p.797-799
Main Authors: Sonthayanon, Piengchan, Chierakul, Wirongrong, Wuthiekanun, Vanaporn, Limmathurotsakul, Direk, Amornchai, Premjit, Smythe, Lee D, Day, Nicholas P, Peacock, Sharon J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Case-Control Studies
Coinfection
DNA, Bacterial - genetics
Humans
Leptospira - genetics
Leptospira - isolation & purification
Leptospirosis - epidemiology
Leptospirosis - microbiology
Orientia tsutsugamushi - genetics
Orientia tsutsugamushi - isolation & purification
Polymerase Chain Reaction - methods
RNA, Ribosomal, 16S - genetics
Scrub Typhus - epidemiology
Scrub Typhus - microbiology
Sensitivity and Specificity
Short Report
Thailand - epidemiology
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Summary:Leptospirosis and scrub typhus are major causes of acute febrile illness in rural Asia, where co-infection is reported to occur based on serologic evidence. We re-examined whether co-infection occurs by using a molecular approach. A duplex real-time polymerase chain reaction was developed that targeted a specific 16S ribosomal RNA gene of pathogenic Leptospira spp. and Orientia tsutsugamushi. Of 82 patients with an acute febrile illness who had dual infection on the basis of serologic tests, 5 (6%) had polymerase chain reaction results positive for both pathogens. We conclude that dual infection occurs, but that serologic tests may overestimate the frequency of co-infections.
ISSN:0002-9637
1476-1645
1476-1645
DOI:10.4269/ajtmh.13-0402