Rickettsioses Diagnostics Evolve Beyond Serology With Molecular and MS-Based Methods
Traditional serological diagnosis of rickettsioses is limited by cross-reactivity among closely related species and poor sensitivity during acute illness. Nucleic acid amplification tests, sequencing, and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry have emerged for both pathogen and vector identification, offering improved specificity and earlier detection. This concise review covers the expanding Rickettsiaceae taxonomy and the diagnostic toolkit available to clinical laboratories.
The original study
A Concise Review of the Epidemiology and Diagnostics of Rickettsioses: Rickettsia and Orientia spp.
- Authors
- Abdad MY, Abou Abdallah R, Fournier PE, Stenos J, Vasoo S
- Journal
- Journal of clinical microbiology
- Type
- Journal Article, Review
- PMID
- 29769278
Original abstract
Rickettsioses are globally distributed and caused by the family Rickettsiaceae, which comprise a diverse and expanding list of organisms. These include two genera, Rickettsia and Orientia Serology has been traditionally the mainstay of diagnosis, although this has been limited by cross-reactions among closely related members and diminished sensitivity/utility in the acute phase of illness. Other techniques, such as nucleic acid amplification tests using blood specimens or tissue swabs/biopsy specimens, sequencing, and mass spectrometry, have emerged in recent years for both pathogen and vector identification. This paper provides a concise review of the rickettsioses and the traditional and newer technologies available for their diagnosis.