Classification of Rickettsia tsutsugamushi in a New Genus, Orientia gen. nov., as Orientia tsutsugamushi comb. nov.

Recent studies of Rickettsia tsutsugamushi have demonstrated clearly the phenotypic and genotypic differences between this microorganism and other species belonging to the genus Rickettsia. Therefore, classification of R. tsutsugamushi in a new genus, Orientia gen. nov., is proposed.