Comparison of immunofluorescence, Western blotting, and cross-adsorption assays for diagnosis of African tick bite fever.
In testing paired serum samples from 40 consecutive cases of African tick bite fever, we detected diagnostic antibodies against spotted fever group rickettsiae in 45% of the patients by immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and in 100% of the patients by Western blotting (WB) (P < 0.01). A specific diagnosis of Rickettsia africae infection could be established in 15% of the patients by IFA and in 73% of the patients by a combination of WB and cross-adsorption assays (P < 0.01).
Jensenius
Mogens
M
Department of Internal Medicine, Aker University Hospital, Oslo, Norway. mogens.jensenius@ioks.uio.no
Fournier
Pierre-Edouard
PE
Vene
Sirkka
S
Ringertz
Signe Holta
SH
Myrvang
Bjørn
B
Raoult
Didier
D
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012281:Rickettsia / Q000276:immunology; D012282:Rickettsia Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013045:Species Specificity; D017282:Tick-Borne Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology