The Real Enemy: Scrub Typhus and the Invasion of Sansapor

The Real Enemy
Scrub Typhus and the Invasion of Sansapor
Robert K. D. Peterson
T
he covering force of the American Navy slipped past the main
body of the invasion force at 0200 hours. The main body
‘˜‡†‹–‘ϐ‹ƒŽ’‘•‹–‹‘•ƒ–ͲͷͲͲǤ–™ƒ•‘™”‡ƒ†›ǤŽ‹‡
ƒ›‘–Š‡”‹˜ƒ•‹‘•‹–Š‡ƒ…‹ϐ‹…Š‡ƒ–‡”†—”‹‰–Š‡‡…‘†‘”Ž†
ƒ”ǡ–Š‡Žƒ†‹‰‡ƒ”ƒ’‡ƒ•ƒ’‘”‘—–…Š‡™
—‹‡ƒ™ƒ•‘–
preceded by aerial or naval bombardment. The invasion planners
ˆ‘”ƒ•‘”…‡™‡”‡…‘—–‹‰‘–ƒ…–‹…ƒŽ•—”’”‹•‡ˆ‘”–Š‡
”‡Žƒ–‹˜‡Ž›ˆ‡™ƒ’ƒ‡•‡–”‘‘’•™Š‘™‡”‡‡š’‡…–‡†–‘„‡‡ƒ”–Š‡
landing area.
—•–„‡ˆ‘”‡ϐ‹”•–Ž‹‰Š–ǡ–Š‡
ǤǤǯ•‹–Š‡ϐ‹”•–Žƒ†‹‰…”ƒˆ–…‘—Ž†Œ—•–
„ƒ”‡Ž›ƒ‡‘—––Š‡–”‡‡•ƒ†…‘ƒ•–Ž‹‡‹–Š‡‡“—ƒ–‘”‹ƒŽ‘”‹‰
Šƒœ‡ǤŠ‡ϐ‹”•–™ƒ˜‡‘ˆ•‘Ž†‹‡”•™ƒ•ƒ•Š‘”‡ƒ–Ͳ͹ͲͲǡ‡š’‡”‹‡…‹‰
‘‡‡›‘’’‘•‹–‹‘Ǥ—„•‡“—‡–™ƒ˜‡•‘ˆ
ǤǤǯ•™ƒ†‡†™‹–Š•‘‡
†‹ˆϐ‹…—Ž–›–Š”‘—‰Š–Š‡‡‡Ǧ†‡‡’™ƒ–‡”ƒ†‘–‘–Š‡„‡ƒ…ŠǤ––Š‡
…‘…Ž—•‹‘‘ˆ–Š‡Žƒ†‹‰‘—Ž›͵ͲǡͳͻͶͶǡ–Š‡”‡™‡”‡‘”‡–Šƒ
͹ǡ͵ͲͲ ‡ ‘ˆ –Š‡ ͸th ˆƒ–”› ‹˜‹•‹‘ ‘ –Š‡ „‡ƒ…ŠŠ‡ƒ† •–”‡–…ŠǦ
‹‰ˆ”‘ƒ’‡ƒ•ƒ’‘”–‘ƒ”ǡƒ•™ƒ’›ƒ”‡ƒƒ„‘—–•‡˜‡‹Ž‡•
‘”–Š‡ƒ•–‘ˆƒ•ƒ’‘”ȋ‹‰ǤͳȌǤ
Š‡‹˜ƒ•‹‘‘ˆƒ•ƒ’‘”™ƒ•–Š‡Žƒ•–ƒ••ƒ—Ž–Žƒ†‹‰‘‡™
—‹‡ƒ„›
‡‡”ƒŽ‘—‰Žƒ•ƒ…”–Š—”ǯ•ˆ‘”…‡•ǤŠ‡‘ˆ–‡„Ž‘‘†›ǡ
†‡•’‡”ƒ–‡ Œ—‰Ž‡ ϐ‹‰Š–‹‰ ‘ ‡™ —‹‡ƒ ‹ ͳͻͶ͵ ƒ† ͳͻͶͶ Šƒ•
Žƒ”‰‡Ž›„‡‡‘˜‡”•Šƒ†‘™‡†‹‘†‡”‡‘”›„›–Š‡„ƒ––Ž‡•‘™‘
‹ƒǡ‹ƒ™ƒǡƒ†ƒ‹’ƒǤ—–‡™
—‹‡ƒ™ƒ•‡›–‘•™‡‡’‹‰–Š‡
ƒ’ƒ‡•‡ˆ”‘–Š‡‘—–Š™‡•–ƒ…‹ϐ‹…ǡŽ‹„‡”ƒ–‹‰–Š‡Š‹Ž‹’’‹‡•ǡƒ†
ƒ’’”‘ƒ…Š‹‰ƒ’ƒˆ”‘–Š‡•‘—–ŠǤŠ”‘—‰Š‘—–ͳͻͶͶǡƒ…”–Š—”ǯ•
ˆ‘”…‡•…‘†—…–‡†ƒ•‡”‹‡•‘ˆ„”ƒœ‡•‡ƒ„‘”‡‡˜‡Ž‘’‡–•‹‡™
Fig. 1. Elements of the 1st Infantry Regiment, 6th Infantry Division,
landing at Cape Sansapor, Dutch New Guinea (U.S. Army).
American Entomologist • Volume 55, Number 2
—‹‡ƒǡ‘ˆ–‡…‘’Ž‡–‡Ž›„›’ƒ••‹‰ƒ†‘—–ϐŽƒ‹‰•–”‘‰ƒ’ƒ‡•‡
ˆ‘”…‡•ǤŠ‡Žƒ†‹‰ƒ–ƒ•ƒ’‘”™ƒ•‹–‡†‡†–‘Ž‡ƒ’ˆ”‘‰„‡–™‡‡
–™‘ •–”‘‰ ƒ’ƒ‡•‡ ˆ‘”…‡• ‘ –Š‡ ‘‰‡Ž‘’ ‡‹•—ŽƒǤ ˆ–‡” –Š‡
Žƒ†‹‰•ǡ‡”‹…ƒ…‘„ƒ–‡‰‹‡‡”•™‡”‡…Šƒ”‰‡†™‹–Š…‘•–”—…–Ǧ
‹‰ƒ‹”ϐ‹‡Ž†•–Šƒ–™‡”‡–‘’”‘˜‹†‡•—’’‘”–ˆ‘”ƒ…”–Š—”ǯ•‹‡š‘”ƒ„Ž‡
’—•ŠȄƒ† ’”‘‹•‡ ‘ˆ ”‡–—”Ȅ–‘ –Š‡ Š‹Ž‹’’‹‡•Ǥ ‘•‡“—‡–Ž›ǡ
ƒŽ–Š‘—‰Š‘•–Ž›ˆ‘”‰‘––‡ǡ–Š‡‘’‡”ƒ–‹‘•‹ƒ†‡ƒ”ƒ•ƒ’‘”™‡”‡
‘ˆ…‘•‹†‡”ƒ„Ž‡•–”ƒ–‡‰‹…‹’‘”–ƒ…‡ȋ‹–Šͳͻͷ͵ȌǤ
—Ž›͵ͳǡ–Š‡‡”‹…ƒ…‘„ƒ–ˆ‘”…‡•‘˜‡†‹Žƒ†ˆ”‘–Š‡
Žƒ†‹‰ œ‘‡• –‘™ƒ”† –Š‡ ƒ•ƒ’‘” ’Žƒ–ƒ–‹‘ ƒ† ˜‹ŽŽƒ‰‡Ǥ ‡”‡ǡ
–‘‘ǡ–Š‡”‡™ƒ•‘”‡•‹•–ƒ…‡Ǣƒ’ƒ‡•‡–”‘‘’•‘ˆ–Š‡͵ͷth‹˜‹•‹‘
had departed the area several days before, leaving many supplies.
‰‹‡‡”•‹‡†‹ƒ–‡Ž›„‡‰ƒ„—‹Ž†‹‰ƒ‹”ϐ‹‡Ž†•‹–Š‡„‡•–Ž‘…ƒ–‹‘•ǡ
ƒ†…‘„ƒ–‘’‡”ƒ–‹‘•‘˜‡”–Š‡ˆ‘ŽŽ‘™‹‰–Š”‡‡™‡‡•™‡”‡Ž‹‹–‡†
–‘ϐŽ—•Š‹‰‘—–•ƒŽŽ‰”‘—’•‘ˆƒ’ƒ‡•‡•‘Ž†‹‡”•Ǥ
‡”‹…ƒ…ƒ•—ƒŽ–‹‡•™‡”‡˜‡”›Ž‘™–Š”‘—‰Š—‰—•–ͷǤŠ‡ǡ–Š‡
”‡ƒŽ‡‡›Ȅ•…”—„–›’Š—•Ȅ‡‡”‰‡†ˆ”‘–Š‡Œ—‰Ž‡ǤŠ‡‡–‹”‡
‡”‹…ƒ‘’‡”ƒ–‹‘™ƒ•‹’‡”‹ŽǤ
Š‡‘—–„”‡ƒ„‡‰ƒƒˆ–‡”–”‘‘’•„‹˜‘—ƒ…‡†‘–Š‡‰”‘—†‹
’ƒ”–‹ƒŽŽ›…Ž‡ƒ”‡†ƒ”‡ƒ•‡ƒ”ƒ”‹ŽŽƒ‰‡Ǥˆ–‡”–Š‡ϐ‹”•–•‘Ž†‹‡””‡Ǧ
’‘”–‡†–‘–Š‡Š‘•’‹–ƒŽ‘—‰—•–͸ǡ–Š‡‡’‹†‡‹…”ƒ’‹†Ž›†‡˜‡Ž‘’‡†Ǥ
›—‰—•–ͳͳǡ–Š‡”‡™‡”‡ͳ͵ͷ…ƒ•‡•Ǣ„›‡’–‡„‡”͵Ͳǡͻ͵ͳ‡Šƒ†
„‡‡ Š‘•’‹–ƒŽ‹œ‡†Ǥ ‘‰ –Š‡ ‡ƒ”Ž‹‡•– …ƒ•‡• ™‡”‡ –Š‡ ͳstˆƒ–”›
‡‰‹‡–‘ƒ†‡”ǡ‘Ž‘‡Ž”‹˜‡––ǡƒ†•‡˜‡”ƒŽ‘–Š‡”‡›‘ˆϐ‹…‡”•Ǥ
‘”™ƒ”†Š‘•’‹–ƒŽ•ϐ‹ŽŽ‡†“—‹…Ž›™‹–Šˆ‡„”‹Ž‡ƒ††‡Ž‹”‹‘—•‡Ǥ—•–
–™‘™‡‡•‹–‘–Š‡‡’‹†‡‹…ǡ–Š‡Š‘•’‹–ƒŽ…ƒ•‡”ƒ–‡™ƒ•‘”‡–Šƒ
ͻͲͲ’‡”–Š‘—•ƒ†’‡”›‡ƒ”Ȅ–Š‡Š‹‰Š‡•–…ƒ•‡”ƒ–‡ƒ‘‰ƒŽŽ…ƒ—•‡•
‹–Š‡‡”‹…ƒ”›‹ƒ›–Š‡ƒ–‡”ˆ‘”ƒ‹†‹˜‹†—ƒŽ‡’‹•‘†‡ȋŠ‹Ž‹’
ͳͻͶͺǡͳͻ͸ͶȌȋ‹‰ǤʹȌǤ
Š‹‰‰‡”Ǧ„‘”‡ ”‹…‡––•‹‘•‹•ǡ ƒ’ƒ‡•‡ ”‹˜‡” ˆ‡˜‡”ǡ ‹–‡Ǧ„‘”‡
typhus, scrub typhus, tropical typhus, and tsutsugamushi disease
are all names for the same disease. The most colorful name is tsuǦ
–•—‰ƒ—•Š‹†‹•‡ƒ•‡ǡ™Š‹…Š‡ƒ•Dz•ƒŽŽƒ††ƒ‰‡”‘—•…”‡ƒ–—”‡dz‹
ƒ’ƒ‡•‡Ǥ…”—„–›’Š—•†‡”‹˜‡•‹–•ƒ‡ˆ”‘–Š‡•…”—„˜‡‰‡–ƒ–‹‘
•‘‘ˆ–‡ˆ‘—†‡ƒ”ƒ”‡ƒ•™Š‡”‡–Š‡†‹•‡ƒ•‡‘……—”•ǤŠ‡†‹•‡ƒ•‡
‹•’”‡•‡–‹ƒ„”‘ƒ†ƒ”‡ƒˆ”‘ƒ‹•–ƒ–‘‘—–Š‡ƒ•–‡”—••‹ƒ–‘
ƒ’ƒǡ–Š‡Š‹Ž‹’’‹‡•ǡƒ†‘”–Š‡”—•–”ƒŽ‹ƒǤ‹–Š‹–Š‹•†‹˜‡”•‡
ƒ”‡ƒǡ’‡”•‹•–‡–†‹•‡ƒ•‡ƒ”‡ƒ•‘™ƒ•Dz‹–‡‹•Žƒ†•dz‘”Dz–›’Š—•
‹•Žƒ†•dz…ƒ„‡Š‹‰ŠŽ›ˆ‘…ƒŽȋʹͲͲ͸ȌǤ
‹”•–†‡•…”‹„‡†ˆ”‘ƒ’ƒ‹ͳͺͻͻǡ•…”—„–›’Š—•‹•…ƒ—•‡†„›–Š‡
”‹…‡––•‹ƒŽ„ƒ…–‡”‹—Orientia tsutsugamushi ȋαRickettsia tsutsugamushiȌǤŠ‡„ƒ…–‡”‹—‹•˜‡…–‘”‡†’”‹ƒ”‹Ž›„›ƒŽƒ”˜ƒŽLeptotrombidiumȋαTrombiculaȌ‹–‡ǡ–Š‡Dz•ƒŽŽƒ††ƒ‰‡”‘—•…”‡ƒ–—”‡dz‘ˆ
–Š‡ ƒ’ƒ‡•‡Ǥ  ‘•– Š—ƒ …ƒ•‡•ǡ –Š‡ ’ƒ–Š‘‰‡ ‹• –”ƒ•‹––‡†
91
Fig. 2. Scrub typhus case rates (cases per thousand per year) by date for
Owi-Biak and Sansapor epidemics (from Philip 1964).
by L. akamushi or L. deliense ȋ‹‰Ǥ͵ȌǤˆ‡…–‹‘„›O. tsutsugamushi
Žƒ•–• –Š”‘—‰Š‘—– –Š‡ ‹–‡ǯ• Ž‹ˆ‡ǡ ƒ† ‹• –”ƒ•‘˜ƒ”‹ƒŽŽ› –”ƒ•‹––‡†Ǥ
Therefore, the mite is the primary reservoir for the pathogen. Adult
‹–‡•Žƒ›‡‰‰••‹‰Ž›‹Š—‹†ƒ”‡ƒ•…‘˜‡”‡†™‹–ŠŽ‘™˜‡‰‡–ƒ–‹‘Ǥ
Š‡•‹šǦŽ‡‰‰‡†Leptotrombidium larva is the only stage that feeds on
ƒŠ‘•–ǤŠ‡‹–‡‹•ϐ‹”•–‹ˆ‡…–‡†„›ˆ‡‡†‹‰‘—”‹†”‘†‡–•‡ƒ”–Š‡
•‹–‡‘ˆ‡‰‰Šƒ–…ŠǤˆ–‡”ˆ‡‡†‹‰ˆ‘”–™‘–‘–Š”‡‡†ƒ›•ǡ–Š‡‡‰‘”‰‡†
Žƒ”˜ƒ†”‘’•ˆ”‘–Š‡Š‘•–ǡ„‡…‘‹‰ƒ‡‹‰Š–ǦŽ‡‰‰‡†ǡ˜‡Ž˜‡–Ǧ–‡š–—”‡†
›’Š‹ƒ„‘—–ͳͲ†ƒ›•ǤŠ‡›’Š•„‡…‘‡ƒ†—Ž–•‹ƒ‘–Š‡”͵Ͳ
†ƒ›•ȋ‹‰ǤͶȌǤ‘–Š›’Š•ƒ†ƒ†—Ž–•ˆ‡‡†‘‹•‡…–‡‰‰•ƒ†‹—–‡
ƒ”–Š”‘’‘†•ȋƒ”™‘‘†ƒ†ƒ‡•ͳͻ͹ͻȌǤ
—ƒ•ƒ”‡‹ˆ‡…–‡†™Š‡–Š‡›…‘‡‹–‘…‘–ƒ…–™‹–Š–Š‡Žƒ”˜ƒŽ
‹–‡•ǤŠ‡‹–‡•ˆ‡‡†’”‹ƒ”‹Ž›‘Š‘•–Ž›’ŠϐŽ—‹†ƒ†–Š‡‹”•ƒŽ‹˜ƒ”›
glands have the highest concentrations of O. tsutsugamushi. After a
ͳͲǦͳʹ†ƒ›‹…—„ƒ–‹‘’‡”‹‘†ǡ–Š‡‘•‡–‘ˆ•›’–‘•…ƒ„‡•—††‡
ƒ†•‡”‹‘—•Ǥ‘”ƒ„‘—–ƒ™‡‡ǡ…Ž‹‹…ƒŽ•›’–‘•ƒ›‹…Ž—†‡Š‹‰Š
ˆ‡˜‡”ǡŠ‡ƒ†ƒ…Š‡ǡ…‘Œ—…–‹˜‹–‹•ǡ•™‘ŽŽ‡Ž›’Š‘†‡•ȋŽ›’Šƒ†‡‹–‹•Ȍǡ
ƒ†•Ž‘™‹‰‘ˆ–Š‡Š‡ƒ”–„‡ƒ–”ƒ–‡ȋ„”ƒ†›…ƒ”†‹ƒȌǤ––Š‡•ƒ‡–‹‡ǡ
ƒͺǦͳʹŽ‡•‹‘ǡ‘™ƒ•ƒ‡•…Šƒ”ǡ…ƒ„‡•‡‡ƒ––Š‡•‹–‡‘ˆ
–Š‡„‹–‡ȋ‹‰ǤͷȌǤ˜‡”–Š‡‡š–ˆ‡™†ƒ›•ǡ–Š‡‡•…Šƒ””—’–—”‡•ƒ†‹•
…‘˜‡”‡†™‹–Šƒ„Žƒ…•…ƒ„ǤŽ•‘ǡƒ”‡†•’‘––‡†”ƒ•Š†‡˜‡Ž‘’•‘˜‡”
–Š‡„‘†›Ǥ›–Š‡•‡…‘†™‡‡ƒˆ–‡”‹‹–‹ƒŽ•›’–‘†‡˜‡Ž‘’‡–ǡ
symptoms may include enlargement of the spleen, pneumonia,
‹ϐŽƒƒ–‹‘‘ˆ–Š‡Š‡ƒ”–ȋ›‘…ƒ”†‹–‹•Ȍǡ†‡Ž‹”‹—ǡƒ†—Ž–‹ƒ–‡Ž›
†‡ƒ–ŠǤ‘™‡˜‡”ǡ–Š‡ƒŒ‘”‹–›‘ˆ’ƒ–‹‡–•”‡…‘˜‡”™‹–Š‹ϐ‹˜‡™‡‡•
ȋƒ”™‘‘†ƒ†ƒ‡•ͳͻ͹ͻȌǤ
‡•’‹–‡‘–Šƒ˜‹‰–‘ϐ‹‰Š–ƒ’ƒ‡•‡–”‘‘’•ƒ––Š‡•ƒ‡–‹‡ǡ
–Š‡‡’‹†‡‹…™ƒ•…‘•–Ž›ǤŠ‡‘”–ƒŽ‹–›”ƒ–‡™ƒ•͵ǤͶ’‡”…‡–Ǥ‘”‡
–ŠƒͳͷͲǡͲͲͲƒǦ†ƒ›•™‡”‡Ž‘•––‘–Š‡†‹•‡ƒ•‡ƒ–ƒ•ƒ’‘”ƒ†
‘ –Š‡ ‡ƒ”„› ‹•Žƒ†• ‘ˆ ™‹ ƒ† ‹ƒǤ ‡˜‡”ƒŽ —‹–•ǡ ‹…Ž—†‹‰
–Š‡ͳstˆƒ–”›‡‰‹‡–ǡ™‡”‡”‡†‡”‡†‹‡ơ‡…–‹˜‡„›–Š‡†‹•‡ƒ•‡
ȋŠ‹Ž‹’ͳͻͶͺȌǤ‘”™ƒ”†Š‘•’‹–ƒŽ•™‡”‡•–”ƒ‹‡†„‡›‘†–Š‡‹”Ž‹‹–•
and, because of their frail condition, febrile patients could not be
–”ƒ•’‘”–‡†–‘Žƒ”‰‡”ǡ”‡ƒ”Ǧƒ”‡ƒ‡†‹…ƒŽˆƒ…‹Ž‹–‹‡•Ǥ‘”–ƒŽ‹–›”ƒ–‡•
†—”‹‰–Š‡‘—–„”‡ƒ˜ƒ”‹‡†ˆ”‘Ž‡••–Šƒ‘‡’‡”…‡–‘™‹ƒ†
‹ƒ –‘ ƒ ‹…”‡†‹„Ž‡ ͵͵Ǥͷ ’‡”…‡– ƒ– ‹•…ŠŠƒˆ‡Ǥ ‘•–Ǧ‘”–‡
ƒƒŽ›•‹•‹†‹…ƒ–‡†–Šƒ–‘•–‡†‹‡†ˆ”‘”‹…‡––•‹ƒŽ˜ƒ•…—Ž‹–‹•ǡ
™Š‹…ŠŽ‡†–‘’‡”‹’Š‡”ƒŽ…‹”…—Žƒ–‘”›…‘ŽŽƒ’•‡Ǥ‘–•—”’”‹•‹‰Ž›ǡ–Š‹•
™ƒ•–Š‡•ƒ‡…ƒ—•‡‘ˆ†‡ƒ–Šƒ•–Šƒ–…ƒ—•‡†„›Ž‘—•‡Ǧ„‘”‡–›’Š—•ǡ
Rickettsia prowazekii ȋƒ”ƒˆ‘‡–‹•‡–ƒŽǤͳͻ͸͵ȌǤ
O
 –Š‡ ‹•Žƒ†• ‘ˆ ™‹ ƒ† ‹ƒǡ •…”—„ –›’Š—• …ƒ•‡• †‡˜‡ŽǦ
‘’‡†‹‡ƒ”Ž›—‡ƒ†’‡ƒ‡†„›–Š‡‡†‘ˆ—Ž›ȋ‹‰ǤͳȌǤ
Š‡ƒŒ‘”‹–›‘ˆ…ƒ•‡•™‡”‡‘™‹ǡ„—––Š‡…ƒ•‡•‘‹ƒ
†‡˜‡Ž‘’‡† ƒ• ǤǤǯ• ™‡”‡ –”›‹‰ –‘ …ƒ’–—”‡ ƒ’ƒ‡•‡ ƒ‹”ϐ‹‡Ž†• ƒ†
root out determined defenders. There, scientists had no choice but
–‘…‘†—…–‹–‡•—”˜‡›•ǡ‡˜‡ƒ•ϐ‹‰Š–‹‰”ƒ‰‡†‘ƒ”‘—†–Š‡Ǥ
‡ƒ”„›ƒ–•Žƒ†ǡƒ‘„•‡”˜ƒ–‹‘‘—–’‘•–ƒ‡†Œ‘‹–Ž›„›
—•–”ƒŽ‹ƒ•ƒ†‡”‹…ƒ•Šƒ†–‘„‡ƒ„ƒ†‘‡†„‡…ƒ—•‡ʹ͸‘ˆͶͳ
–”‘‘’•™‡”‡•‹…‡‡†„›–Š‡†‹•‡ƒ•‡Ǥ—„•‡“—‡–”‡•‡ƒ”…Š”‡˜‡ƒŽ‡†
–Šƒ––Š‡‹•Žƒ†…‘–ƒ‹‡†Dzƒ‹–‡•‡‡†‡‹…‹–›dz™‹–Šƒƒ„—†ƒ…‡
of rats, L. deliense as the vector, and at least three highly virulent
strains of O. tsutsugamushiȋŠ‹Ž‹’ͳͻͶͺȌǤ
Fig. 4.
Drawing
of scrub
typhus
cycle in
nature
(from
Philip
1964).
Fig. 3. Leptotrombidium akamushi, a primary vector of Orientia tsutsugamushi, the pathogen that causes scrub typhus (U.S. Army).
92
…”—„–›’Š—•™ƒ•‡…‘—–‡”‡†•’‘”ƒ†‹…ƒŽŽ›„›ƒŽŽ‘ˆ–Š‡ƒ”‹‡•
‹ –Š‡ ‘—–Š ƒ† ‘—–Š™‡•– ƒ…‹ϐ‹… ƒ† ‘—–Š‡ƒ•– •‹ƒ Š‡ƒ–‡”•Ǥ
‡„‡”•‘ˆ–Š‡ǤǤǤ›’Š—•‘‹••‹‘ǡ‹…Ž—†‹‰‡–‘‘Ž‘‰‹•–•ǡ
’ƒ”ƒ•‹–‘Ž‘‰‹•–•ǡƒ†‡’‹†‡‹‘Ž‘‰‹•–•ǡ™‡”‡‹˜‘Ž˜‡†‹”‡•‡ƒ”…Š‘
•…”—„–›’Š—•‹–Š‡‘—–Š™‡•–ƒ…‹ϐ‹…•‹…‡…–‘„‡”ͳͻͶ͵ǡ„—––Š‡
•‡”‹‘—•‡••‘ˆ–Š‡‡’‹†‡‹…‹—‰—•–ƒ†‡’–‡„‡”ȂȂƒ†ˆ‡ƒ”‘ˆ
ˆ—–—”‡‡’‹†‡‹…•‹–Š‡Š‹Ž‹’’‹‡•ƒ†ƒ’ƒȂȂ„”‘—‰Š–•™‹ˆ–ƒ…–‹‘Ǥ
‡˜‡”ƒŽ‡„‡”•‘ˆ–Š‡…‘‹••‹‘‡‰ƒ‰‡††‹”‡…–Ž›‹‹–‡…‘–”‘Ž
American Entomologist • —‡”ʹͲͲͻ
Fig. 5. Eschar of scrub typhus patient at the site of the mite’s bite (U.S.
Armed Forces Institute of Pathology).
Fig. 7. Barrels of repellent emulsion used to treat uniforms (U.S. Army).
™‘”™‹–Š–Š‡–”‘‘’•ƒ†‘˜‡Ž…‘–”‘Ž‡–Š‘†•™‡”‡’”‡••‡†‹–‘
ƒ…–‹‘ȋŠ‹Ž‹’ͳͻ͸ͶȌǤ
‡…ƒ—•‡–Š‡”‡™‡”‡‘’”‡˜‡–‹˜‡˜ƒ……‹‡•‘”…—”ƒ–‹˜‡ƒ–‹„‹‘–‹…•ǡ
–Š‡‘•–‡ơ‡…–‹˜‡ƒƒ‰‡‡–‡–Š‘†•ˆ‘”•…”—„–›’Š—•‹˜‘Ž˜‡†
‹–‡…‘–”‘Žƒ†’‡”•‘ƒŽ’”‘–‡…–‹˜‡‡ƒ•—”‡•Ǥˆ‘”–—ƒ–‡Ž›ǡ
Šƒ†Ž‹––Ž‡‡ơ‡…–ƒ•ƒ„”‘ƒ†…ƒ•–•’”ƒ›ǡ•’‘––”‡ƒ–‡–ǡ‘”‹’”‡‰ƒǦ
–‹‘‘–‘—‹ˆ‘”•Ǥ‘Ǧˆ‘”™ƒ”†ƒ”‡ƒ•ǡ•—…Šƒ•…ƒ’•ƒ†„ƒ•‡•ǡ
…Ž‡ƒ”‹‰•‹–‡•‘ˆ˜‡‰‡–ƒ–‹‘ƒ†ƒŽŽ‘™‹‰–Š‡ƒ”‡ƒ•–‘†”›™ƒ•–Š‡
‘•–‡ơ‡…–‹˜‡…‘–”‘Ž–ƒ…–‹…ǤŠ‡‹–‡•ƒ†–Š‡‹””‘†‡–Š‘•–•–Š”‹˜‡†
‹˜‡‰‡–ƒ–‹‘Ǧ…‘˜‡”‡†ǡŠ‹‰ŠǦŠ—‹†‹–›ƒ”‡ƒ•‡ƒ”–Š‡‰”‘—†ǡ•‘–Š‡›
ƒ˜‘‹†‡†–Š‡†”‹‡†ƒ”‡ƒ•Ǥ›‘”†‡”‘ˆ
‡‡”ƒŽƒ…”–Š—”ǡƒ–ƒŽŽ–‹‡•ǡ
‡™‡”‡–‘™‡ƒ”Dzƒ…‘’Ž‡–‡—‹ˆ‘”…‘•‹•–‹‰‘ˆ•Š‹”–‘”Œƒ…‡–ǡ
–”‘—•‡”•ǡŽ‡‰‰‹•ƒ†…ƒ’ǡƒ†–Šƒ–‘•“—‹–‘”‡’‡ŽŽ‡–•ŠƒŽŽ„‡—•‡†
ƒ„‘—– Ž‡‰‰‹ –‘’•ǡ •Ž‡‡˜‡ …—ơ•ƒ†•Š‹”–‘” Œƒ…‡–…‘ŽŽƒ”•Ǥdz ȋ‹–Š
ͳͻͷ͵ȌǤ • ‹‰Š– „‡ ‹ƒ‰‹‡†ǡ ‹ –Š‡ •™‡Ž–‡”‹‰ –”‘’‹…ƒŽ Š‡ƒ–ǡ –Š‡
–”‘‘’•™‡”‡Ž‡••–Šƒ’Ž‡ƒ•‡†™‹–Š–Š‹•‘”†‡”ȋ‹‰Ǥ͸ȌǤ
 ˆ‘”™ƒ”† ƒ”‡ƒ•ǡ –Š‡ „‡•– ™ƒ› –‘ ƒƒ‰‡ ‹–‡• ™ƒ• „› ‹Ǧ
’”‡‰ƒ–‹‰—‹ˆ‘”•™‹–Šƒ”‡’‡ŽŽ‡–ƒ†‹–‹…‹†‡…‘•‹•–‹‰‘ˆƒ
†‹‡–Š›Ž’Š–ŠƒŽƒ–‡Ǧ•‘ƒ’‡—Ž•‹‘ȋ‹‰Ǥ͹ȌǤŠ‹•–”‡ƒ–‡–™ƒ•„ƒ•‡†
‘•—……‡••ˆ—Ž–”‹ƒŽ•†—”‹‰–Š‡™ƒ”™‹–Š‘”–Š‡”‹…ƒ…Š‹‰‰‡”•
„›‡–‘‘Ž‘‰‹•–•ƒ––Š‡ƒ„‘”ƒ–‘”›‹”Žƒ†‘ǡŽ‘”‹†ƒǤŠ‡
—•–”ƒŽ‹ƒ‹Ž‹–ƒ”›™ƒ•–Š‡ϐ‹”•––‘•—……‡••ˆ—ŽŽ›—•‡–Š‡–‡…Š‹“—‡‹
–Š‡ϐ‹‡Ž†ȋŠ‹Ž‹’ͳͻ͸ͶȌǤŽ–Š‘—‰Š‡’Ž‘›‡†–‘‘Žƒ–‡ˆ‘”‡ơ‡…–‹˜‡—•‡
‹–Š‡ƒ•ƒ’‘”‡’‹†‡‹…ǡŠƒ†Ǧ–”‡ƒ–‡†—‹ˆ‘”•™‡”‡’—––‘‰‘‘†
—•‡‹•—„•‡“—‡–…ƒ’ƒ‹‰•‹–Š‡Š‹Ž‹’’‹‡•Ǥ
‹–Š–Š‡”‹‰‹†‹’Ž‡‡–ƒ–‹‘‘ˆƒƒ‰‡‡––ƒ…–‹…•ǡ‡™…ƒ•‡•
†”‘’’‡†”ƒ’‹†Ž›„›–Š‡‡†‘ˆ—‰—•–ǡƒ†‘•–‘ˆ‡’–‡„‡”•ƒ™
…ƒ•‡”ƒ–‡•Ž‡••–ŠƒͳͲͲ’‡”–Š‘—•ƒ†’‡”›‡ƒ”ǤŠ‡…‘•–”—…–‹‘
‘ˆƒ‹”†”‘‡•ƒ†”—™ƒ›•’”‘…‡‡†‡†™‹–ŠŽ‹––Ž‡†‹ˆϐ‹…—Ž–›ǡƒ†„›
‹†Ǧ‡’–‡„‡”ǡ—‡”‘—••‘”–‹‡•™‡”‡„‡‹‰ϐŽ‘™†ƒ‹Ž›–‘•—’’‘”–
‘–Š‡”Žƒ†‹‰•ǡ‹–‡”…‡’–ƒ’ƒ‡•‡’Žƒ‡•ǡƒ†„‘„‘‹Ž‹•–ƒŽŽƒ–‹‘•ǡ
–”‘‘’…‘…‡–”ƒ–‹‘•ǡƒ†ƒ‹”ϐ‹‡Ž†•–Š”‘—‰Š‘—––Š‡ƒ”‡ƒǤŠ‡‹˜ƒ•‹‘
‘ˆƒ•ƒ’‘”ƒŽ•‘’”‡˜‡–‡†–Š‡‡•…ƒ’‡‘ˆƒ’ƒ‡•‡ˆ‘”…‡•ˆ”‘–Š‡
‘‰‡Ž‘’‡‹•—ŽƒǤŠ‡‹•‘Žƒ–‡†ˆ‘”…‡•™‡”‡†‡•–‹‡†–‘™ƒ‹–‘—–
–Š‡‡†‘ˆ–Š‡™ƒ”‹–Š‡ˆ‘”–‹ϐ‹‡†…‹–›‘ˆ‘”‘‰Ǥ
Š‡ ͸th ˆƒ–”› ‹˜‹•‹‘ ”‡ƒ‹‡† ‘ –Š‡ ‘‰‡Ž‘’ ‡‹•—Žƒ
—–‹Ž–Š‡‡†‘ˆ‡…‡„‡”ͳͻͶͶǤƒ—ƒ”›ǡ–Š‡†‹˜‹•‹‘™ƒ•Š‡ƒ˜‹Ž›
involved in the invasion of the Philippines and spent the remainder
‘ˆ–Š‡™ƒ”–Š‡”‡„‡ˆ‘”‡‘……—’›‹‰–Š‡•‘—–Š‡”ŠƒŽˆ‘ˆ‘”‡ƒǤ
A
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American Entomologist • Volume 55, Number 2
Ž–Š‘—‰Š‘˜‡”•Šƒ†‘™‡†„›†‡‰—‡ȋͻͲǡͲͲͲǤǤ‹Ž‹–ƒ”›…ƒ•‡•Ȍ
ƒ†ƒŽƒ”‹ƒȋͶ͹ͲǡͲͲͲǤǤ‹Ž‹–ƒ”›…ƒ•‡•Ȍǡ•…”—„–›’Š—•‡šƒ…–Ǧ
‡†ƒ•‹‰‹ϐ‹…ƒ––‘ŽŽ†—”‹‰–Š‡‡…‘†‘”Ž†ƒ”ǤŠ‡”‡™‡”‡
‘”‡–Šƒ͹ǡͲͲͲ…ƒ•‡•‹–Š‡‡”‹…ƒ”›ƒ†ƒ˜›ˆ”‘ͳͻͶʹ
–Š”‘—‰ŠͳͻͶͷǡ™‹–Š‘”‡–Šƒ͵ͲͲ†‡ƒ–Š•Ǥ‡”‹…ƒǡ”‹–‹•Šǡƒ†
—•–”ƒŽ‹ƒ…ƒ•‡•‡š…‡‡†‡†ͳ͸ǡͲͲͲǡ™‹–Š‘”‡–Šƒ͸ͲͲ†‡ƒ–Š•Ǥ–Š‡
ƒ…‹ϐ‹…Š‡ƒ–‡”‹–™ƒ••‡…‘†‹‹’‘”–ƒ…‡‘Ž›–‘ƒŽƒ”‹ƒǡ›‡–‹–™ƒ•
‘”‡†”‡ƒ†‡†„›–Š‡–”‘‘’•ȋŠ‹Ž‹’ͳͻͶͺȌǤ–…ƒ—•‡†ƒŽ‘•–ƒ•ƒ›
†‡ƒ–Š•ƒ•ƒŽƒ”‹ƒƒ†™ƒ•–Š‡‘•–‹’‘”–ƒ–”‹…‡––•‹ƒŽ†‹•‡ƒ•‡
ƒ‘‰‡”‹…ƒ–”‘‘’•Ǥ–Š‡‘—–Š‡ƒ•–•‹ƒŠ‡ƒ–‡”ǡ•…”—„–›’Š—•
™ƒ•–Š‡Ž‡ƒ†‹‰…ƒ—•‡‘ˆ†‡ƒ–Šˆ‘”ƒ›…‘—‹…ƒ„Ž‡†‹•‡ƒ•‡Ǥ
‘‡‡”‹…ƒ–”‘‘’•†—”‹‰–Š‡‡’‹†‡‹…™‡”‡…‘˜‹…‡†–Šƒ–
•…”—„–›’Š—•™ƒ•ƒ„‹‘Ž‘‰‹…ƒŽ™‡ƒ’‘‘ˆ–Š‡ƒ’ƒ‡•‡Ǥ—‘”•™‡”‡
”ƒ’ƒ–ǡ„—––Š‡”‡‹•‘‡˜‹†‡…‡–‘•—’’‘”––Š‡…Žƒ‹ȋŠ‹Ž‹’ͳͻͶͺȌǤ
†‡‡†ǡO. tsutsugamushi vectored through Leptotrombidium mites
93
™‘—Ž†ƒ‡ƒ˜‡”›’‘‘”…Š‘‹…‡ƒ•ƒ™‡ƒ’‘Ǥƒ’ƒ‡•‡–”‘‘’•ƒŽ•‘
•—ơ‡”‡†ˆ”‘–Š‡†‹•‡ƒ•‡–Š”‘—‰Š‘—––Š‡ƒ…‹ϐ‹…ǡ„—–”‡…‘”†•”‡ƒ‹
•’ƒ”•‡Ǥ – •‡‡• Š‹‰ŠŽ› ’”‘„ƒ„Ž‡ –Šƒ– –Š‡ ƒ’ƒ‡•‡ ‡š’‡”‹‡…‡†
–Š‡ †‹•‡ƒ•‡ ‘ ‹ƒ ƒ† ƒ– ƒ•ƒ’‘”ǡ „—– ƒ• Š‹Ž‹’ ȋͳͻ͸ͶȌ •–ƒ–‡†ǡ
Dzǥ…ƒ’–—”‡†’”‹•‘‡”•™‹–Š‡†‹…ƒŽ„ƒ…‰”‘—†™‡”‡‘–’Ž‡–‹ˆ—Ž
ˆ‘”“—‡•–‹‘‹‰‹–Š‹•”‡‰ƒ”†Ǥdz
Today, scrub typhus can be cured relatively easily using antibiotǦ
ics. There is still no vaccine and personal protective measures such
ƒ•”‡’‡ŽŽ‡–•ƒ†‹•‡…–‹…‹†‡Ǧ‹’”‡‰ƒ–‡†—‹ˆ‘”•…‘–‹—‡–‘„‡
very important in the management of the disease.
The role of Allied scientists, including many entomologists, during
–Š‡‡…‘†‘”Ž†ƒ”…ƒ‘–„‡‘˜‡”•–ƒ–‡†Ǥ‘–‘Ž›™‡”‡ƒ”–Š”‘Ǧ
’‘†Ǧ„‘”‡†‹•‡ƒ•‡•ƒƒ‰‡†”‡Žƒ–‹˜‡Ž›‡ơ‡…–‹˜‡Ž›†—”‹‰–Šƒ––‹‡ǡ
„—–‘™Ž‡†‰‡ƒ„‘—––Š‡†‹•‡ƒ•‡•ƒŽ•‘ƒ†˜ƒ…‡††”ƒƒ–‹…ƒŽŽ›Ǥ†ǡ
sadly, several researchers gave their lives in service to their countries.
Š‹Ž‹’ȋͳͻͶͺȌ‰‹˜‡•ƒϐ‹––‹‰–”‹„—–‡–‘–Š‡•…‹‡–‹•–•™Š‘•—……—„‡†
–‘•…”—„–›’Š—•†—”‹‰–Š‡™ƒ”Ǥ
The events surrounding the epidemic of scrub typhus during
–Š‡‹˜ƒ•‹‘‘ˆƒ•ƒ’‘”Šƒ˜‡„‡‡”‡’‡ƒ–‡†…‘—–Ž‡••–‹‡•‹–Š‡
Š‹•–‘”›‘ˆ™ƒ”ˆƒ”‡Ǥ‹…‡–Š‡„‡‰‹‹‰‘ˆ”‡…‘”†‡†Š‹•–‘”›ǡ‹˜ƒ†‹‰
armies have often been devastated not by defending forces, but by
‘’’‘”–—‹•–‹…’ƒ–Š‘‰‡•™ƒ‹–‹‰–‘•’”‡ƒ††‹•‡ƒ•‡–‘‹—‘Ž‘‰‹Ǧ
…ƒŽŽ›ƒÃ˜‡•‘Ž†‹‡”•ȋ‡–‡”•‘ͳͻͻͷȌǤ–™ƒ•‘–—–‹Ž–Š‡ʹͲth century
–Šƒ––Š‡Ž‘••‡•ˆ”‘„ƒ––Ž‡‹Œ—”‹‡•‡š…‡‡†‡†–Š‘•‡ˆ”‘†‹•‡ƒ•‡•Ǥ
‡•’‹–‡ ‘†‡” ‡†‹…ƒŽ –‡…Š‘Ž‘‰›ǡ –Š‡ –Š”‡ƒ– ˆ”‘ ƒ”–Š”‘’‘†Ǧ
borne diseases remains for military forces. There are still numerous
†‹•‡ƒ•‡•ˆ‘”™Š‹…Š–Š‡”‡ƒ”‡‘˜ƒ……‹‡•‘”‡ơ‡…–‹˜‡…—”ƒ–‹˜‡†”—‰•ǡ
ƒ•–Š‡…—””‡–‹Ž‹–ƒ”›…ƒ•‡•‘ˆ…—–ƒ‡‘—•Ž‡‹•Šƒ‹ƒ•‹•‹”ƒ“ƒ†
ˆ‰Šƒ‹•–ƒ…Ž‡ƒ”Ž›†‡‘•–”ƒ–‡Ǥ
‹˜‡–Š‹•”‡ƒŽ‹–›ǡ…‘–”‘Ž‘ˆƒ”–Š”‘Ǧ
pod vectors and protection of troops from bites remain important
disease management strategies.
References Cited
Harwood, R. F. and M. T. James. 1979. Entomology in human and animal
Š‡ƒŽ–ŠǤ͹th‡†‹–‹‘Ǥƒ…‹ŽŽƒǡ‡™‘”Ǥ
Peterson, R. K. D. 1995. •‡…–•ǡ †‹•‡ƒ•‡ǡ ƒ† ‹Ž‹–ƒ”› Š‹•–‘”›ǣ –Š‡
Napoleonic campaigns and historical perception. Am. Entomol.
ͶͳǣͳͶ͹Ǧͳ͸ͲǤ
Philip, C. B. 1948.•—–•—‰ƒ—•Š‹†‹•‡ƒ•‡ȋ•…”—„–›’Š—•Ȍ‹‘”Ž†ƒ”Ǥ
Ǥƒ”ƒ•‹–‘ŽǤ͵Ͷǣͳ͸ͻǦͳͻͳǤ
Philip, C. B. 1964.…”—„–›’Š—•ƒ†•…”—„‹–…ŠǤ’’Ǥʹ͹ͷǦ͵Ͷ͹ǤǤǤ‘ƒ–‡•ǡ
”Ǥȋ‡†ǤȌǤ‘—‹…ƒ„Ž‡†‹•‡ƒ•‡•ǣƒ”–Š”‘’‘†„‘”‡†‹•‡ƒ•‡•‘–Š‡”–Šƒ
ƒŽƒ”‹ƒǡ˜‘Ž—‡Ǥ”‡˜‡–‹˜‡‡†‹…‹‡‹‘”Ž†ƒ”Ǥ‡†‹…ƒŽ‡Ǧ
’ƒ”–‡–ǡ‹–‡†–ƒ–‡•”›Ǥˆϐ‹…‡‘ˆ–Š‡—”‰‡‘
‡‡”ƒŽǡ‡’ƒ”–‡–
‘ˆ–Š‡”›Ǥƒ•Š‹‰–‘ǡǤǤ
Smith, R. R. 1953.‹–‡†–ƒ–‡•”›‹‘”Ž†ƒ”ǤŠ‡ƒ”‹–Š‡
ƒ…‹ϐ‹…ǣŠ‡’’”‘ƒ…Š–‘–Š‡Š‹Ž‹’’‹‡•Ǥ—„Ž‹…ƒ–‹‘ͷǦͺǤ‡–‡”
‘ˆ‹Ž‹–ƒ”›‹•–‘”›ǡ‹–‡†–ƒ–‡•”›Ǥƒ•Š‹‰–‘ǡǤǤ
[USACHPPM]. United States Army Center for Health Promotion and
Preventive Medicine. 2006.…”—„–›’Š—•Ǥƒ…–Š‡‡–ͳͺǦͲ͵ͺǦͲͺͲ͸Ǥ
–‘‘Ž‘‰‹…ƒŽ…‹‡…‡•”‘‰”ƒǡǤǤ”›Ǥ„‡”†‡‡”‘˜‹‰
”‘—†ǡ
Ǥ
Zarafonetis, C. J. D. and M. P. Baker. 1963.…”—„–›’Š—•Ǥ’’ǤͳͳͳǦͳͶʹǤ
ǤǤ‘ƒ–‡•ǡ”Ǥȋ‡†ǤȌǤˆ‡…–‹‘—•†‹•‡ƒ•‡•ǡ˜‘Ž—‡Ǥ–‡”ƒŽ‡†‹…‹‡
‹‘”Ž†ƒ”Ǥ‡†‹…ƒŽ‡’ƒ”–‡–ǡ‹–‡†–ƒ–‡•”›Ǥˆϐ‹…‡‘ˆ–Š‡
—”‰‡‘
‡‡”ƒŽǡ‡’ƒ”–‡–‘ˆ–Š‡”›Ǥƒ•Š‹‰–‘ǡǤǤ
Robert K. D. Peterson‹•••‘…‹ƒ–‡”‘ˆ‡••‘”‘ˆ–‘‘Ž‘‰›ƒ–‘–ƒƒ
–ƒ–‡‹˜‡”•‹–›ǡ‘œ‡ƒǡ™Š‡”‡Š‡Ž‡ƒ†•”‡•‡ƒ”…Šƒ†–‡ƒ…Š‹‰’”‘‰”ƒ•
‹‹‘Ž‘‰‹…ƒŽ‹•••‡••‡–ƒ†•‡…–…‘Ž‘‰›Ǥ‡‹•ƒ…‘Ǧ…‘–”‹„—–‹‰
editor of American Entomologistȋ„’‡–‡”•‘̷‘–ƒƒǤ‡†—ȌǤ
ESA has two certification options –
Board Certified Entomologist (BCE),
and Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE).
ĞĐŽŵŝŶŐĐĞƌƟĮĞĚĂůůŽǁƐLJŽƵƚŽ͙
vProve to others that you have what it takes
ƚŽƐŽůǀĞƉƌĂĐƟĐĂůƉƌŽďůĞŵƐŝŶĞŶƚŽŵŽůŽŐLJ͘
vdĞůůƚŚĞƉƵďůŝĐĂŶĚůĞŐĂůƉƌŽĨĞƐƐŝŽŶƚŚĂƚLJŽƵĂƌĞ
ĐŽŵƉĞƚĞŶƚŝŶƉĞƐƚŵĂŶĂŐĞŵĞŶƚ͘
vŝƐƉůĂLJLJŽƵƌĐƌĞĚĞŶƟĂůĂŶĚďĞĐŽŵƉĞƟƟǀĞŝŶĂ
ƐƉĞĐŝĂůŝnjĞĚŵĂƌŬĞƚ
ƒ‡ƒ‹‡†‹ƒ–‡‹˜‡•–‡–‹›‘—”ˆ—–—”‡Ǧ
ϐ‹†‘—–Š‘™›‘—…ƒ„‡…‘‡
ƒ…‡”–‹ϐ‹‡†‡–‘‘Ž‘‰‹•––‘†ƒ›Ǩ
&ŽƌŵŽƌĞŝŶĨŽƌŵĂƟŽŶĂŶĚĐŽŵƉůĞƚĞĞůŝŐŝďŝůŝƚLJ
ƌĞƋƵŝƌĞŵĞŶƚƐǀŝƐŝƚ͗ǁǁǁ͘ĞŶƚƐŽĐ͘ŽƌŐͬĐĞƌƟĮĐĂƟŽŶͬ͘
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American Entomologist • —‡”ʹͲͲͻ