Prompt confirmation of Rocky Mountain spotted fever: identification of rickettsiae in skin tissues.
Rickettsia rickettsii were identifiable by the immunofluorescence technique in skin specimens obtained by biopsy on days 4 and 8 of illness from patients with Rocky Mountain spotted fever. The immunofluorescence technique is regarded as a practical means of confirming the diagnosis during the early stages of illness before positive serologic reactions can be obtained.
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D012284:Rickettsia rickettsii / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012373:Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012867:Skin / Q000382:microbiology*