Microbiology
The bacterium was initially categorised in the genus Rickettsia, but is now classed in a separate genus, Orientia, in which it is the only species.
It is 0.5 µm wide and 1.2 to 3.0 µm long, and is an obligatory intracellular organism that can only be cultured in cell monolayers. The organism is highly virulent and should only be handled in a laboratory with biosafety level 3 facilities.
Read more about this topic: Orientia Tsutsugamushi