The median mortality rate associated with untreated scrub typhus can be as high as 6%, emphasizing the importance of early diagnosis and effective therapeutics. Our company is dedicated to advancing scrub typhus vaccine and therapy development through a comprehensive suite of services, encompassing all phases of research and development.
Overview of Scrub Typhus
Scrub typhus is an acute febrile illness caused by the obligate intracellular bacterium Orientia tsutsugamushi, which is transmitted to humans through the bites of infected trombiculid mite larvae, commonly known as chiggers. The disease is endemic to the Asia-Pacific region, including countries such as China, India, Sri Lanka, and several Southeast Asian nations. Clinical manifestations can range from mild fever and rash to severe multi-organ dysfunction, including pneumonitis, meningitis, and disseminated intravascular coagulation.
Fig.1 Antibiotic therapeutics for scrub typhus. (Lu D., et al., 2022)
Vaccine Development for Scrub Typhus
The development of a scrub typhus vaccine has been a challenging endeavor due to the complex immune response required for protection and the diversity of Orientia tsutsugamushi strains. The vaccine development has focused on several scientific strategies:
Identification of Protective Antigens
Research has centered on identifying antigens that can elicit a protective immune response. The 56 kDa protein (p56), involved in host cell invasion, has been a significant focus due to its immunodominant nature.
Utilizing genomic data to discover conserved autotransporters like ScaA, which have shown promise in providing protection against homologous strains.
Multiplex Subunit Vaccines
The concept of a multiplex vaccine, containing a combination of antigens, has been proposed to address the strain-specific immunity and to provide broader protection.
Therapeutics Development for Scrub Typhus
The mainstay of therapeutics for scrub typhus has been antibiotic therapy. Various antibiotics have been evaluated:
- Doxycycline: Widely recognized for its efficacy but associated with gastrointestinal adverse events.
- Azithromycin: A macrolide antibiotic with a favorable safety profile and fewer adverse events, making it suitable for specific populations.
- Rifampicin: Demonstrates high cure rates but is recommended with caution in tuberculosis-endemic regions.
Please click on the links below to learn more about our innovative therapeutic solutions.
Our Services
The landscape of scrub typhus vaccine and therapy development is evolving, driven by scientific innovation and a commitment to public health. The array of services provided by our company embodies a holistic approach to tackling this significant infectious disease, ensuring that effective preventive and therapeutic options are developed to combat scrub typhus effectively.
- Murine Models: intradermal and intravenous inoculation with different doses of O. tsutsugamushi Gilliam strain
- Humanized DRAGA Mouse Models: by footpad inoculation with O. tsutsugamushi to mimic natural infection via chigger bites.
Our services encompass a comprehensive approach to the development of vaccines and therapies for scrub typhus, integrating cutting-edge scientific research with practical application. If you are interested in our services, please feel free to contact us.
References
- Lu, Dafeng, et al. "Evaluation of the therapeutic effect of antibiotics on scrub typhus: a systematic review and network meta-analysis." Frontiers in Public Health 10 (2022): 883945.
- Walker, David H., and Nicole L. Mendell. "A scrub typhus vaccine presents a challenging unmet need." npj Vaccines 8.1 (2023): 11.
All of our services and products are intended for preclinical research use
only and cannot be used to diagnose, treat or manage patients.
