title: Identification of rickettsial infections by using cutaneous swab specimens and PCR.
abstract: To determine the usefulness of noninvasive cutaneous swab specimens for detecting rickettsiae, we tested skin eschars from 6 guinea pigs and from 9 humans. Specimens from eschars in guinea pigs were positive for rickettsiae as long as lesions were present. Optimal storage temperature for specimens was 4 degrees C for 3 days.
authors.affiliation: Université de la Méditerranée, Marseille, France.
authors.forename: Yassina
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Bechah
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Socolovschi
authors.forename: Didier
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Raoult
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006801:Humans; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D012281:Rickettsia / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012282:Rickettsia Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D020114:Rickettsia conorii / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012867:Skin / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D017192:Skin Diseases, Bacterial / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D004269:DNA, Bacterial