Advanced Diagnostic Techniques for Scrub Typhus: From Conventional Methods to Nanotechnology Solutions

Abstract Scrub typhus is an acute illness caused by the bacteria Orientia tsutsugamushi and is transmitted by mites. Scrub typhus propagates via infected chigger bites (larval stage). Diagnosing scrub typhus is challenging due to its ability to mimic symptoms of other febrile illnesses. Conventional methods such as Weil‐Felix, ELISA, and PCR are available for diagnosing scrub typhus. The Weil‐Felix test was formerly used in developing nations to diagnose scrub typhus, but it is not recommended since it lacks both specificity and sensitivity. IFA and ELISA are superior for detecting scrub typhus; however, they are not as effective at detecting the illness in its early stages and require convalescent sampling to confirm positive samples. However, because the Orientia tsutsugamushi serotypes differ in their genetic makeup, PCR‐based approaches have become less applicable despite their higher specificity and sensitivity. Nanomaterial‐based biosensing could help detect scrub typhus early due to its high surface area, electrical conductance, and chemical stability. This study emphasizes the need for point‐of‐care detection of this under‐diagnosed but fatal disease, emphasizing the importance of nanobiosensors in early diagnosis. The pathophysiology of scrub typhus, standard diagnostic procedures, and the critical role that nanobiosensors play in the early detection of scrub typhus are discussed.