Open AccessIdentification of Rickettsiae in Cutaneous i Biopsy Specimens From Dogs With Experimental Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
Author(s) -
Davidson Michael G.,
Breitschwerdt Edward B.,
Walker David H.,
Nasisse Mark P.,
Sussman Wendy E.
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
journal of veterinary internal medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.356
H-Index - 103
eISSN - 1939-1676
pISSN - 0891-6640
DOI - 10.1111/j.1939-1676.1989.tb00321.x
Subject(s) - rocky mountain spotted fever , medicine , identification (biology) , pathology , dermatology , ecology , biology
Direct immunofluorescence reaction for Rickettsia rickettsii was performed on formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded cutaneous biopsy specimens collected from dogs with experimental Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF). A technique of trypsin digestion of deparaffinized, rehydrated sections was successful in demonstrating discrete, immunofluorescent organisms in endothelia and adjacent vessel walls in the dermis. R rickettsii was identified only in grossly evident dermal lesions (macular rash or oral vesicles) and was not apparent in randomly collected biopsy specimens from clinically normal inguinal skin. These results suggest that clinical application of this technique for diagnosis of RMSF may be limited in dogs without cutaneous lesions. (Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine 1989; 3:8–11)