Objective: To study the sero-epidemiological status regarding Rickettsia (R.) typhi, Bartonella (B.) henselae and Orientia (O.) tsutsugamushi in farmers from rural areas of Tianjin.
Methods: Field epidemiological surveys were performed in 8 districts (county) of Tianjin city from 2007 to 2009. 886 farmers were randomly recruited and their serum samples collected to detect the specific antibodies of R. typhi, B. henselae and O. tsutsugamushi by micro-indirect immunofluorescence (IFA).
Results: The total antibody positive rates of R. typhi increased from 5.0% to 58.2% while B. henselae had an increase from 2.6% to 14.5% and O. tsutsugamushi increased from 1.8% to 39.8%. Geographic distribution showed that farmers living in the central and southeast areas were higher than that in other areas.
Conclusion: Infections of both R. typhi, B. henselae and O. tsutsugamushi in farmers from Tianjin areas were popular and the antibody positive rates of R. typhi, B. henselae and O. tsutsugamushi had an annual increase.