Identification of Rickettsial Infections by Using Cutaneous Swab Specimens and PCR

Overview

Journal Emerg Infect Dis

Specialty Infectious Diseases

Date 2011 Jan 4

PMID 21192860

Citations 35

Authors

Yassina Bechah

Cristina Socolovschi

Didier Raoult

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

To determine the usefulness of noninvasive cutaneous swab specimens for detecting rickettsiae, we tested skin eschars from 6 guinea pigs and from 9 humans. Specimens from eschars in guinea pigs were positive for rickettsiae as long as lesions were present. Optimal storage temperature for specimens was 4 degrees C for 3 days.

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