title: Seroepidemiology of rickettsioses in Sri Lanka: a patient based study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Rickettsioses are emerging infections in Sri Lanka as shown by the increase in the number of clinically diagnosed rickettsial patients being reported to the Epidemiology Unit, Sri Lanka. However, mapping the disease for the whole island with laboratory confirmed cases has not been previously carried out.
  
  
  METHODS
  615 samples received from 23 hospital representing 8 provinces were tested using ELISA or IFA methods and clinical data was collected using a validated questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Rash was found among more spotted fever seropositive patients than scrub typhus seropositive patients while the opposite was true for the presence of eschar. Spotted fever and scrub typhus was found in a geographically restricted manner. Consistent temporal patterns were seen for the presentation of patients with rickettsioses in Kandy and Kurunegala districts for 2009 and 2010.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study expanded knowledge on the distribution of rickettsioses in Sri Lanka and their clinical profiles which in turn helps in the clinical diagnosis of these infections.
authors: Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. veranjacl@yahoo.com
authors: Veranja Chathurani
authors: VC
authors: Liyanapathirana
authors: Vasanthi
authors: V
authors: Thevanesam
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D021821:Communicable Diseases, Emerging / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D012281:Rickettsia / Q000276:immunology*; D012288:Rickettsiaceae Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D013188:Sri Lanka / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial