Real-time PCR duplex assay for Rickettsia prowazekii and Borrelia recurrentis

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:2003
Authors:J. Jiang, Temenak, J. J., Richards, A. L.
Journal:Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
Volume:990
Pagination:302 - 310
Date Published:2003
ISBN Number:0077-8923
Keywords:animals, Base Sequence, Borrelia, Comparative Study, dna, genes, humans, Lice/microbiology, polymerase, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Rickettsia prowazekii/classification/genetics/isolation & purification
Abstract:

Rickettsia prowazekii, the etiologic agent for epidemic typhus, and Borrelia recurrentis, the etiologic agent of relapsing fever, both utilize the same vector, the human body louse (Pediculus humanus), to transmit human disease. We have developed an assay to detect both bacterial pathogens in a single tube utilizing real-time PCR. Assays for both agents are specific. The R. prowazekii and B. recurrentis assays do not detect nucleic acid from R. typhi, R. canada, or any of eight spotted fever rickettsiae. In addition they did not react with Neorickettsia risticii, N. sennetsu, Franciscella persica, Bartonella quintana, Legionella pneumophila, Proteus mirabilis, Salmonella enterica, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus. Moreover, the B. recurrentis assay did not detect B. duttonii, B. coriaceae, B. afzelii, B. garinii, B. hermsii, or B. burgdorferi nucleic acid. Both assays detected repeatedly only R. prowazekii or B. recurrentis either when tested alone or together in one test tube.

URL:https://nyaspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/j.1749-6632.2003.tb07380.x
DOI:10.1111/j.1749-6632.2003.tb07380.x
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