Detection of Bartonella quintana by direct immunofluorescence examination of blood smears of a patient with acute trench fever.
We report a case of Bartonella quintana acute symptomatic infection in a homeless man, presenting as a typical trench fever. B. quintana has been retrieved in erythrocytes in large clusters and in erythroblasts. Direct immunofluorescence of blood smears allows a rapid diagnosis.
Unité des Rickettsies, CNRS UMR 6020, IFR48, Faculté de Médecine, Université de la Méditerranée, Marseille, France. cedric.foucault@medecine.univ-mrs.fr
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C
Foucault
J M
JM
Rolain
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D
Raoult
P
P
Brouqui
D000208:Acute Disease; D018413:Bartonella quintana / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D001800:Blood Specimen Collection / Q000379:methods*; D004900:Erythroblasts / Q000382:microbiology; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000382:microbiology; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications*; D006703:Ill-Housed Persons; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014205:Trench Fever / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology