Metagenomic Approach to Characterizing Disease Epidemiology in a Disease-Endemic Environment in Northern Thailand

Takhampunya, Ratree; Korkusol, Achareeya; Pongpichit, Chalermpol; Yodin, Komsan; Rungrojn, Artharee; Chanarat, Nitima; Promsathaporn, Sommai; Monkanna, Taweesak; Thaloengsok, Sasikanya; Tippayachai, Bousaraporn; Kumfao, Naruemon; Richards, Allen L.; Davidson, Silas A.

A total of 200 individual UFI patients' coded specimens were received from Bo Kluea hospital, Nan province, Thailand. Samples were from outpatients and inpatients presenting to Bo Kluea hospital with UFI and suspicion of scrub typhus infection during February-November 2017. Residual whole blood and serum samples from routine laboratory testing were coded and sent to the Department of Entomology to be tested for the possible causative agent of UFI as well as for scrub typhus or murine typhus infection, caused by Rickettsia typhi. The protocol was determined on February 01, 2016 by WRAIR Human Subjects Protection Branch (HSPB) to be research not involving human subjects for this investigation, since the work described herein involves the use of existing, coded specimens wherein investigators will not receive associated identifiable data, the project did not require a review by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) and 45 CFR 46 and 32 CFR 219 does not apply.