Scrub typhus, a mite-borne rickettsiosis: innovative approaches for intervention strategies

Scrub typhus (ST), an emerging mite-borne zoonotic infection of humans. Orientia tsutsugamushi, the causative agent of ST transmitted to human through the bite of chigger mites belonging to the Genus Leptotrombidium. Its widespread distribution beyond South East Asia, i.e., Middle East, South America and Africa indicates its public health importance globally. Scrub typhus can be treated with antibiotics, and the case fatality rate can reach up to 30% in untreated patients. An effective vaccine against scrub typhus has been pending for a long, and none of the ongoing attempts have shown encouraging outcomes. Although a few candidate vaccines are currently under trial, it is urgently required to investigate promising innovative modern approaches to develop successful and sustained intervention strategies. In light of these findings, the present paper provides a glimpse of certain innovative next-generation intervention strategies for the development and evaluation of vaccine candidates against scrub typhus.