Dr Carlo Perrone
Contact information
Podcast interview
In northern Thailand, MORU researchers focus on scrub typhus, a disease transmitted by small bugs in rural environments. A simple diagnostic cartridge for rapid detection would avoid critical delays and issues of current antibody-based tests. If accessible in small hospitals, this improved diagnostics has the potential to save lives by providing timely treatment. Involving local communities is essential to address the endemic nature of scrub typhus in rural areas.
Carlo Perrone
Research Physician
I am research physician and head of CCRU (Chiangrai Clinical Research Unit), located in the north-east of Thailand and bordering Myanmar and Laos. The hilly patchwork of forests, fields, shrubs, orchards and streams of Chiangrai province is highly endemic for scrub typhus and, possibly, other tropical rickettsioses. CCRU, together with Chiangrai Prachanukroh Hospital and other local stakeholders, is involved in researching scrub typhus, acute febrile illness and antimicrobial resistance in the region. Another important focus of our work are the ethics of research in vulnerable populations such as hill tribes, who are disproportionally affected by infectious diseases but risk being underrepresented in research.
We also conduct scrub typhus public engagement activities with at-risk communities focused on prevention and raising awareness.
In the future we aim at expanding our network of stakeholders in order to obtain a better picture of health issues in rural communities. Among the questions our current and planned research projects aim to answer are:
- Compared efficacy of antibiotic treatments in scrub typhus
- Determinants and predictors of disease severity in scrub typhus
- Identifying the causes of acute febrile illness in rural communities
- Accuracy of rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) in mild and moderate scrub typhus disease
- Prevalence of tropical rickettsioses other than scrub typhus in the area
- Feasibility, acceptability and efficacy of scrub typhus preventive measures
I am part of the Pint of Science Thailand team and collaborate with the rickettsia threat reduction network.
Recent publications
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Community engagement around scrub typhus in northern Thailand: a pilot project.
Journal article
Perrone C. et al, (2024), Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg
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Defining the hidden burden of disease in rural communities in Bangladesh, Cambodia and Thailand: a cross-sectional household health survey protocol.
Journal article
Zhang M. et al, (2024), BMJ Open, 14
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The challenges and potential solutions of achieving meaningful consent amongst research participants in northern Thailand: a qualitative study.
Journal article
Greer RC. et al, (2023), BMC Med Ethics, 24
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Ethical and cultural implications for conducting verbal autopsies in South and Southeast Asia: a qualitative study.
Journal article
Htun NSN. et al, (2023), BMJ Glob Health, 8
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Prevalence of and factors associated with scrub typhus exposure among the hill tribe population living in high incidence areas in Thailand: a cross-sectional study.
Journal article
Tasak N. et al, (2023), BMC Public Health, 23