EFFICACY OF PCR (POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION) TO IDENTIFY RICKETTSIA INFECTION IN CLINICAL SAMPLES FROM INDIA

Abstract

Background: Infection with rickettsia is not well understood or valued in India. However, because there are no specific
diagnostics available and these infections are typically detected with non-specific serological assays, the true impact of
the disease is underestimated.
Objective: The current study used PCR (polymerase chain reaction) to identify Rickettsia infection in clinical samples
from India.
Methods: The current study evaluated individuals of Indian descent whose blood samples were taken from patients who
presented to the department with a referral or walk-in case of undifferentiated fever or PUO (pyrexia of undetermined
cause). Before they were processed and put through a statistical analysis, the blood samples were kept in an EDTA test
tube.