Rapid, simple serodiagnosis of murine typhus.

Abstract

The dot-blot enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (dot-ELISA) was compared to latex agglutination (LA) and the Weil-Felix OX-19 test for the diagnosis of murine typhus using the indirect immunofluorescent antibody (IFA) test as the 'gold standard'. With a panel of 74 positive and 47 negative sera, the dot-ELISA was 98% specific and 74% sensitive at a cut-off value of the second dot. With acute sera, latex agglutination was 100% specific and 74% sensitive at a cut-off titre of > or = 1:64. Both tests were more sensitive than the OX-19 test, which was 98% specific and 56% sensitive at a titre of > or = 1:320. Both dot-ELISA and latex agglutination were comparable and the results were available within one hour of testing. The rapidity, ease in performance and minimal requirement for electrical instruments made these 2 tests suitable for the diagnosis of murine typhus in countries where sophisticated laboratory facilities are lacking.

• Authors: K Silpapojakul, J Pradutkanchana, S Pradutkanchana, D J Kelly
• Journal: Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg) 1995 Nov-Dec Vol. 89 Issue 6 Pg. 625-8 ISSN: 0035-9203 [Print] England
• PMID: 8594676 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Comparative Study, Controlled Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Topics

• Acute Disease
• Agglutination Tests
• Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (methods)
• Fluorescent Antibody Technique
• Humans
• Latex Fixation Tests
• Sensitivity and Specificity
• Time Factors
• Typhus, Endemic Flea-Borne (diagnosis)