Rocky Mountain spotted fever in areas of high and low prevalence: survey for canine antibodies to spotted fever rickettsiae
Kelly, D.J.; Osterman, J.V.; Stephenson, E.H.
American Journal of Veterinary Research 43(8): 1429-1431
1982
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-9645 PMID: 6808878 Document Number: 183106
Antibodies to Rickettsia rickettsii were detected by indirect immunofluorescence in sera from 149 of 467 dogs (32%) examined from 4 military installations located in Kentucky, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Virginia, USA. The prevalence at individual installations ranged from 4.3% at Fort Knox, Kentucky, to 63.4% at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Most seropositive dogs were in the working and sporting groups of dogs. The difference in antibody prevalence between sexes was not significant. Serologic responses were related to R. rickettsii infection, although antibodies to R. montana also were detected in a few sera. Comparison of serodiagnostic methods indicated that the indirect fluorescent antibody test was more sensitive than was the indirect hemagglutination test for obtaining survey data on the prevalence of Rocky Mountain spotted fever in an area.