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Background  Tick-borne ehrlichiosis and mite-borne scrub typhus represent important emerging zoonotic rickettsial diseases. Although scrub typhus has been recognized by the Taiwanese public health system, information on ehrlichial infections is scarce in Taiwan. In this study, the risk of spread of ectoparasites on rodents through aerial and marine transportation was assessed in international and domestic harbors. Here, we report the first systematic surveillance of seroprevalence against  Ehrlichia  spp. in small mammals on the main island of Taiwan.    Methods  In total, 1648 small mammals were trapped from 8 international ports, 18 domestic fishing harbors, and 7 local public health centers around Taiwan from November 2004 to December 2008. Sera were analyzed using indirect immunofluorescence assays to detect IgG antibodies against  Ehrlichia chaffeensis  and  Orientia tsutsugamushi . A serum titer of ≧1:80 was considered positive.    Results  Antibodies against  Ehrlichia  spp. and  O. tsutsugamushi  were detected in 3.28 % and 4.92 % of small mammals active around harbors, respectively. The seropositive rate against  Ehrlichia  was higher in northern Taiwan from 2005 to 2008. However,  O. tsutsugamushi  infections increased in southern Taiwan during this period. The serological evidence of ehrlichial and  O. tsutsugamushi  infections in all international ports were included in the study. No significant differences were found among the seropositive rates of  Ehrlichia  spp. and  O. tsutsugamushi  in small mammals trapped between international and local harbors.    Conclusions  The overall prevalence of  Ehrlichia  spp. and  O. tsutsugamushi  infections in small mammals active around harbors was 3.28 % and 4.92 %, respectively. The results provided serological evidence supporting the potential risks of transporting pathogens through air and maritime traffic. This study highlights serious issues of the emergence and spread of rickettsial diseases in Taiwan. The incidence of human ehrlichiosis requires further investigation.

Prevalence of antibodies against Ehrlichia spp. and Orientia tsutsugamushi in small mammals around harbors in Taiwan