The Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) will soon conduct multicentric task force project research on rickettsial diseases. It has already invited proposals for the research and the broad areas covered under the research projects will include study on the prevalence, incidence and dynamics of transmission of the rickettsial diseases in India.

The ICMR study on rickettsial diseases is of great importance since it has affected many people from across the different states in India. Highest number of rickettsial disease in India has been documented from Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Rajasthan, Assam, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

“The aim behind initiating the research on rickettsial diseases is to gather database that can be used to study the diseases. As of now there is no available data to support anything on the rickettsial diseases. Moreover the reported numbers are an underestimate due to lack of community based data and non-availability of confirmatory laboratory tests,” senior scientist from ICMR said.

Rickettsial diseases are some of the most covert re-emerging infections of the present times and are generally incapacitating and notoriously difficult to diagnose. Those that are not diagnosed and left untreated cases can lead to high fatality rates as high as 30 to 35 per cent. However, when diagnosed properly in time they can be easily and effectively treated. It is to address this complex problem that a multidisciplinary research agenda has been developed by the ICMR.

For the ICMR Ad-Hoc project a single investigator can apply for a maximum of Rs 50 lakh. The project is expected to commence by the end of this year. Understanding the gravity of the issue ICMR has already invited research proposals from the scientists of the country to conduct multi centric research projects.