title: Strategies for detecting rickettsiae and diagnosing rickettsial diseases.
abstract: Rickettsial diseases and scrub typhus constitute a group of the oldest known vector-borne diseases. The cosmopolitan distribution of the vectors that transmit rickettsiae and orientiae leads to a worldwide prevalence of these diseases. Despite their significant historical status, detection and diagnosis of these diseases are still evolving today. Serological methods remain among the most prevalent techniques used for the detection/diagnosis of rickettsial diseases and scrub typhus. Molecular techniques have been instrumental in increasing the sensitivity/specificity of diagnosis, identifying new Rickettsia and Orientia species and have enhanced epidemiological capabilities when used in combination with serological methods. In this review, we discuss these techniques and their associated pros and cons.
authors: Naval Medical Research Center, 503 Robert Grant Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA.
authors: Alison
authors: A
authors: Luce-Fedrow
authors: Kristin
authors: K
authors: Mullins
authors: Alex P
authors: AP
authors: Kostik
authors: Heidi K
authors: HK
authors: St John
authors: Ju
authors: J
authors: Jiang
authors: Allen L
authors: AL
authors: Richards
mesh_terms: D001431:Bacteriological Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D025202:Molecular Diagnostic Techniques / Q000379:methods; D012282:Rickettsia Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D016996:Rickettsieae / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012612:Scrub Typhus / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D012698:Serologic Tests / Q000379:methods
keywords: ELISA; Orientia; Rickettsia; multilocus sequence typing; quantitative real-time PCR; scrub typhus group; spotted fever group; typhus group