Comparison of serologic methods for the diagnosis of Mediterranean spotted fever
Novaković, S.; Morović, M.; Dzelalija, B.
Acta Virologica 35(6): 587-592
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 0001-723X PMID: 1687643 Document Number: 381961
During the summer, Mediterranean spotted fever (MSF) is prevalent in the subcoastal part of Croatia (North Dalmatia) as well as in other areas of the Mediterranean coast. The specificity and sensitivity of complement fixation, latex agglutination, microimmunofluorescence and ELISA was compared for detection and measuring antibodies against Rickettsia conorii in 78 sera from 46 patients with suspected MSF. The sero-reactivity with SFG antigens containing the R. conorii-antigen(s) as a common determinant was positive in all 4 serological tests, suggesting that R. conorii was the probable causative agent of infection in the patients.