Serological Evidence for a High Incidence of Transmission of Rickettsia Tsutsugamushi in Two Orang Asli Settlements in Peninsular Malaysia

Abstract

Two communities of Orang Asli (aborigines) in Peninsular Malaysia were observed for evidence of Rickettsia tsutsugamushi infection over periods of 1-8 mo. Sequential sera were examined for antibody by the indirect immunofluorescence test. The incidence of infection in the two self-selected populations in the two communities was calculated to be 3.9% per month and 3.2% per month.