Weil Felix test for detection of Rickettsial infections

• Author Details:   
• Sudhindra KS
• Sumanta A
• Shubha DS
• Narayana Murthy C
• Srinivasa Setty TK

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Introduction: Rickettsial diseases though very commonly found in India, are often misdiagnosed due to lack of awareness and non-availability of diagnostic facilities.
Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of rickettsial infections in patients attending our hospital with complaints of fever.
Materials and Method: A total of 150 serum samples were tested for rickettsial infections by Weil Felix test and the results were analysed. 25 serum samples from afebrile patients were also tested as controls.
Results: Of the 150 samples, 59 samples showed significant titres, out of which 29 showed significant titres to OX-K, 10 to OX-2, 11 to OX-19 and mixed titres seen in other 09 samples.
Conclusions: Clinical suspicion and routine testing for rickettsial diseases will be useful in patients presenting with fever for prompt diagnosis and management of these cases.

Keywords: Rickettsial diseases, Fever patients, Weil Felix test