Development of Rickettsia Specific Nested PCR Method Based on groEL Gene Sequences

ABSTRACT

To detect Rickettsia, we have developed a nested PCR method amplifying the groEL gene. Rickettsia strains were successfully amplified by this PCR method but the microorganisms causing other febrile diseases, such as Orientia tsutsugamushi, Coxiella burnetii, Ehrlichia sennetsu, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Borrelia hermsii, and Leptospira interrogans were not amplified. This PCR assay was applied to detect Rickettsia DNA from 100 ticks. Sixteen Haemaphysalis longicornis ticks were positive by this PCR assay. These results suggest that the new nested PCR method might be sensitive and useful for discrimination between Rickettsia and other febrile disease-causing microorganisms.