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Immunoperoxidase and immunofluorescent staining of Rickettsia rickettsii in skin biopsies. A comparative study.
- Source :
-
Archives of pathology & laboratory medicine [Arch Pathol Lab Med] 1997 Aug; Vol. 121 (8), pp. 894-9. - Publication Year :
- 1997
-
Abstract
- Objective: To compare immunofluorescent and immunoperoxidase staining of Rickettsia rickettsii in skin biopsies of patients suspected of having Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF).<br />Design: Immunofluorescent staining results for R rickettsii from skin biopsies of patients suspected of having RMSF were obtained by computer and chart review. Immunoperoxidase staining for R rickettsii was performed on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded skin biopsies from the same patient population.<br />Patients: Twenty-six patients who were clinically suspected of having RMSF were included in this study. Skin biopsies of these patients were examined for evidence of RMSF by immunofluorescence and routine histology.<br />Main Outcome Measures: The sensitivity and specificity of both immunofluorescent and immunoperoxidase staining techniques were calculated. The chi 2 method was used to assess significance.<br />Results: Both tests were highly significant for the detection of R rickettsii (P < .01). The sensitivity and specificity of the immunofluorescent and immunoperoxidase staining techniques for the identification of RMSF were identical. No significant difference between these tests was identified (P > .05).<br />Conclusion: The sensitivity and specificity of immunofluorescent and immunoperoxidase staining of R rickettsii in routinely processed, paraffin-embedded skin biopsies of patients suspected of having RMSF are identical. Although not as rapid as the immunofluorescent technique, immunoperoxidase staining of R rickettsii has advantages over the immunofluorescent technique; these include easier antigen localization and concomitant viewing of the corresponding histopathology.
- Subjects :
- Biopsy
Humans
Rickettsia rickettsii immunology
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever microbiology
Sensitivity and Specificity
Skin microbiology
Skin Diseases, Bacterial microbiology
Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct methods
Immunoenzyme Techniques
Rickettsia rickettsii isolation & purification
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever diagnosis
Skin pathology
Skin Diseases, Bacterial diagnosis
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 0003-9985
- Volume :
- 121
- Issue :
- 8
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Archives of pathology & laboratory medicine
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 9278621