Evaluation of the Fluorescent Antibody Technique for the Detection of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever Rickettsiae in Various Tissues

Abstract

The fluorescent antibody technique of Coons has been evaluated for identification and localization of Rickettsia rickettsii etiological agent of Rocky Mountain spotted fever, in tissues of chick embryos, guinea pigs and of the vector tick, Dermacentor andersoni. The organisms could be demonstrated regularly in smears or sections treated with antibodies labelled with fluorescein isothiocyanate. The fluorescent antibody technique appears to be of great value in studies of rickettsial agents because of several inherent advantages over conventional staining procedures.