The use of eschar swabs for the diagnosis of African tick-bite fever

Ticks Tick Borne Dis. 2012 Dec;3(5-6):361-3. doi: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2012.10.018. Epub 2012 Nov 7.

Abstract

African tick-bite fever (ATBF) caused by Rickettsia africae is a frequent cause of fever in returned travelers. Here, we used eschar swabs and/or eschar crust samples for the molecular diagnosis of ATBF in returned travelers. In 4 of 5 patients returning from South Africa, including 3 with negative serology, R. africae was identified by molecular tools targeting 2 different genes. The findings of this study highlight the usefulness of eschar swabs and/or eschar crust samples for the diagnosis of R. africae infection.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Animals
  • Bacteriological Techniques / methods*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Insect Bites and Stings / microbiology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Molecular Diagnostic Techniques / methods
  • Rickettsia / isolation & purification*
  • Rickettsia Infections / diagnosis*
  • South Africa
  • Tick-Borne Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Travel
  • Travel Medicine / methods