Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detection of human immunoglobulin G to lipopolysaccharide of spotted fever group rickettsiae.

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detecting human immunoglobulin G to spotted fever group rickettsiae was developed and tested. The assay uses proteinase K-resistant material, characteristic of the rickettsial lipopolysaccharides shown to be group specific by immunoblots, as the antigen. The results indicate that the assay provides a sensitive, yet specific, alternative method for diagnosing rickettsial diseases.