DIAGNOSTIC ASSAY FOR ORIENTIA TSUTSUGAMUSHI BY DETECTION OF RESPONSIVE GENE EXPRESSION

摘要

The inventive subject matter relates to a method for the diagnosis of Orientia tsutsugamushi infection by measuring the increased or decreased expression of specific human genes following infection by microarray or polymerase chain reaction analysis. The method employs the creation of gene modulation profiles in patients suspected to be infected with O. tsutsugamushi and comparing the profiles with a predetermined profile of genes known to modulate in response to O. tsutsugamushi exposure and infection. The method permits the early detection of O. tsutsugamushi infection and diagnosis of scrub typhus earlier than currently available methods. The method also permits mid-course monitoring of disease progression with greater detail than currently available methods.