[The western immunoblotting technique in atypical situations of Rickettsia conorii infection. Presentation of 2 cases].

BACKGROUND

During the last few years the application of Western immunoblotting in the study of human infection by Rickettsia conorii has led to the development of a new method of serologic diagnosis of the Mediterranean exanthematous fever.

METHODS

The pattern of reactivity of serum samples sequentially obtained in the course of infection versus R. conorii antigens (Malish 7 strain) purified in discontinued density gradient and separated by SDS-PAGE was analyzed by Western immunoblotting.

RESULTS

The presence of typical profiles of rickettsial infection similar to those observed in the common forms of presentation of the Mediterranean exanthematous fever was demonstrated in a case of accidental infection transmitted via aerosol and followed by an incomplete clinical picture after the early administration of specific antibiotic therapy and in a patient with signs and symptoms characteristic of Mediterranean exanthematous fever in whom the results of indirect immunofluorescence tests were repeatedly negative.

CONCLUSIONS

Western immunoblotting may be a specially useful technique as a complementary procedure in the laboratory to guide in the diagnosis of Mediterranean exanthematous fever in special situations.