Immunofluorescence Assay (IFA) - IgG

Immunofluorescence Assay (IFA) IgG to typhus group rickettsiae.  Typhus group rickettsiae includes Rickettsia typhi and Rickettsia prowazekii.

• Endemic typhus (murine typhus)
• Typhus group rickettsiosis
• Epidemic typhus

Serum sample.  Minimum volume required – 0.5 mL. (0.5 ml is sufficient volume for all requested Rickettsial testing on one sample.)

Submit in a sterile microcentrifuge tube.

Store samples refrigerated or frozen until shipped for testing. Ship frozen samples on dry ice, and refrigerated samples on wet ice

Shipping of specimens shall be done by a TDG certified individual in accordance with TDG regulations. For additional information regarding classification of specimens for the purposes of shipping, consult either Part 2 Appendix 3 of the TDG Regulations or section 3.6.2 of the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations as applicable.

Suspected rickettsial infection with exposure to fleas or human body lice.

Completed Rickettsia and Related Zoonotic Diseases requisition including sender name, address and telephone number. Patient name or identifier (referring lab #), date of birth, suspected exposure, test(s) requested and clinical history. Type of specimen and date collected. If possible, include the antibiotics administered and travel history.

The name of the Typhus test “Endemic typhus Fever” has been changed to the broader term of “Typhus Group Rickettsiosis”. This change reflects the inability of serological assays to distinguish between  Rickettsia typhi and Rickettsia prowazekii.

Testing is performed, in whole or in part, using an IVD testing kit which has not been fully validated/verified due to a lack of well-characterized panel.

Samples are screened for antibodies to R. typhi at a dilution of 1:64 using the Focus Diagnostics Rickettsia IFA IgG kit.  Samples that are reactive at a dilution of 1:64 are serially titrated 2-fold to determine the end-point titre.

15 calendar days.

1. Indirect fluorescent antibody technique for the detection of rickettsial antibodies. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 1988.

Pathogen Safety Data Sheets: Infectious Substances – Rickettsia prowazekii