The Epidemiology of Scrub Typhus and Rickettsial Infections in a Highly Endemic Rural Setting in South India: Population-Based Cohort Study
This study aimed to better understand the epidemiology, sero-epidemiology, and transmission of scrub typhus, murine typhus and tick-borne spotted fever. The study is conducted in South India (Tamil Nadu) and follows up people living in affected villages. Participants will be followed up at 4 to 6 weeks intervals to ask for the occurrence of undifferentiated fever since the last contact. Participants will be followed up through annual serological testing to determine the incidence of serological infection. The cohort is open; participants newly moving or being born into a household already included in the study are enrolled.
Study design
Cohort - open
Number of participants at first data collection
562 (participants)
Recruitment is ongoing
Age at first data collection
Varied (participants)
Participant year of birth
Varied (participants)
Participant sex
All
Representative sample at baseline?
No
Sample features
Country
Year of first data collection
2018
Primary Institutions
London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM)
Profile paper DOI
Funders
Christian Medical College, Vellore (CMC)
Medical Research Council (MRC)
Ongoing?
Yes
Data types collected
- Interview – face-to-face
- Physical environment assessment (e.g. pollution, mould)
- Physical or biological assessment (e.g. blood, saliva, gait, grip strength, anthropometry)
- Secondary data
- Self-report questionnaire – paper or computer assisted
- None
- None
- Healthcare data
Engagement
Keywords
