[Seroimmunologic studies in boutonneuse fever. I. Evaluation of a commercial micro-immunofluorescence kit in the serodiagnosis of boutonneuse fever].

Abstract

The diagnosis of Boutonneuse Fever usually depends on clinical evidence (summer occurrence, fever, tache noire at the site of the tick bite, in 30-70% of cases, erythemato -papular rash, prompt response to chloramphenicol or tetracycline treatment). Serological confirmation is difficult since the only diagnostic procedure currently feasible, the Weil-Felix test, is not specific. Other more specific diagnostic procedures (agglutination, complement fixation, ELISA, indirect immunofluorescence tests) are beyond the possibilities of most laboratories (antigens are not available from the market). In the present paper, results obtained with a new commercially produced kit for indirect immunofluorescence are reported. Sera from patients with infectious and non infectious diseases as well as Boutonneuse Fever (at various stages of illness, from 6 days to 12 months) were examined. Sera from blood donors were also included. Specificity and sensitivity were satisfactory as well as reproducibility of results. Some apparently false positivities must be related to the present epidemiological pattern in western Sicily, and namely to the incidence of asymptomatic cases of Boutonneuse Fever, as demonstrated by recent works.

• Authors: S Mansueto, G Vitale, G Tringali, C Pintagro, C Occhino, M D Miceli
• Journal: Quaderni Sclavo di diagnostica clinica e di laboratorio (Quad Sclavo Diagn) Vol. 19 Issue 2 Pg. 262-70 (Jun 1983) ISSN: 0033-4979 [Print] Italy
• Vernacular Title: Studi sieroimmunologici nella Febbre Bottonosa. I. Valutazione di un kit del commercio per micro-immunofluorescenza nella diagnostica sierologica della Febbre Bottonosa.
• PMID: 6374738 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Bacterial

Topics

• Antibodies, Bacterial (analysis)
• Boutonneuse Fever (diagnosis, epidemiology)
• False Positive Reactions
• Fluorescent Antibody Technique
• Rickettsia (immunology)
• Rickettsiaceae Infections (diagnosis)
• Sicily