Progress in research of Orientia tsutsugamushi and its host and vector

Orientia tsutsugamushi is a Gram-negative obligate intracellular bacterium and the causative agent of human scrub typhus, which is transmitted by mites. In recent years, with the rise of tourism and outdoor sports, human contact with mites has increased, and the possibility of scrub typhus outbreak exists. Orientia tsutsugamushi is the only pathogen of scrub typhus. Fully understanding of the morphological structure, genotype, pathogenic mechanism, host and vector of Orientia tsutsugamushi plays an important role in the prevention and control of scrub typhus and vaccine development. This paper summarizes the progress in research of Orientia tsutsugamushi and its host and vectors.