Ida Bengtson conducted important research on typhus, a serious infectious disease caused by bacteria of the species Rickettsia, particularly Rickettsia prowazekii. Typhus was a major global health concern, especially in crowded, unsanitary conditions where the bacteria were able to spread from host to host rapidly in the early twentieth century. One of the greatest challenges at the time was accurately identifying the disease, as its symptoms often overlapped with other illnesses, making diagnosis difficult or sometimes unreliable (Zinsser 1935). 

Bengtson worked to alleviate these issues by improving the scientific understanding of typhus and frequently emphasized the urgent need for more reliable diagnostic methods. Accurate identification was crucial for tracking transmission, implementing safety measures, and ensuring appropriate treatment. Her research highlighted the limitations of existing testing approaches, which often failed to distinguish between different rickettsial diseases, eventually refining several tests herself (Bengtson 1945). By addressing these challenges, Bengtson helped advance the study of rickettsial infections and supported the development of more precise laboratory techniques. Her contributions strengthened the public health efforts towards typhus and improved the management strategies for dangerous and difficult to identify diseases (Parascandola 2008). Further advancements in these diagnostic approaches are discussed in the testing mechanisms section.

In addition to her work on other infectious diseases, Ida Bengtson conducted important research on trachoma, a chronic bacterial infection caused by Chlamydia trachomatis that can lead to blindness if left untreated. During the early twentieth century, and continuing to today, trachoma is a widespread and global occurrence, particularly in regions with limited sanitation and access to medical care. The disease was not well understood at the time, and its transmission and causative agent were unknown and being actively researched (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2023).

Bengtson studied trachoma by examining its infectious nature through a variety of animal "in vivo" studies and clarify how the disease spreads between individuals. Her research supported the identification of the causative organism mentioned above and, in particular,the role of direct contact and environmental factors in transmission. Her further understanding of the disease helped lay the groundwork for more effective approaches in diagnosis and control (Taylor HR et al. 2014). Through her work, Bengtson played a role in advancing the knowledge of trachoma as an infectious disease that was preventable as opposed to treatable or permanent, as believed previously. Her research supported early health efforts aimed at reducing transmission and infection prevention, particularly in high risk populations. This foundational research formed part of the scientific basis that led to modern reductive methods for controlling trachoma and reducing preventable blindness worldwide (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2023).