What is Rickettsia?
The rickettiae are gram-negative obligate intracellular bacteria. A characteristic feature of the rickettsiae is that they all multiply in an arthropod (lice, ticks, fleas, or mites) as part of their life cycle. Rickettiae are also infectious for a wide varieties of mammals, including humans, which either serve as reservoirs for the organisms or ensure the survival of the parasitic vectors that feed on them.
What species does our test cover?
Species |
Disease in humans |
Distribution |
Means of transmission to humans |
R. rickettsii |
Rocky Mountain spotted fever |
North, Central and South America |
Tick bite |
R. conorii |
Mediterranean spotted fever, Boutonneuse fever, Israeli spotted fever, Astrakhan fever, Indian tick typhus |
Europe, Asia, Africa, India, Israel, Sicily, Russia |
Tick bite |
R. typhi |
Murine typhus |
Worldwide |
Infected flea feces |
R. felis |
Cat flea rickettsiosis, flea-borne typhus |
Worldwide |
Cat flea bite |
Rickettsia Species PCR
The Rickettsia species PCR test is an assay that detects Rickettsia species specific DNA in clinical samples. The Rickettsia PCR test can be performed on different sample types.
Test # 998 **
Description Rickettsia PCR – Whole Blood
(Only R. rickettsii PCR will be reported for NY residents**)
Specimen 5 ml Whole Blood (EDTA)
Collection & Shipping
1 Lavender top tube-(EDTA). Ship immediately at RT.
CPT CODE 87797, 87798 x 2
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Test # 986 **
Description Rickettsia PCR - CSF (Only R. rickettsii PCR will be reported for NY residents**)
Specimen 2 ml CSF
Collection & Shipping
Store in Refrigerator until shipped. Ship at Room Temperature.
CPT CODE 87797, 87798 x 2
** Not available for NY Residents