Serological evidence of typhus group rickettsia in a homeless population in Houston, Texas

Will K Reeves; Kristy O Murray; Tamra E Meyer; Lara M Bull; Rhia F Pascua; Kelly C Holmes; Amanda D Loftis

doi:10.3376/1081-1710(2008)33[205:seotgr]2.0.co;2

Serological evidence of typhus group rickettsia in a homeless population in Houston, Texas

J Vector Ecol. 2008 Jun;33(1):205-7. doi: 10.3376/1081-1710(2008)33[205:seotgr]2.0.co;2.

Authors

Will K Reeves¹, Kristy O Murray, Tamra E Meyer, Lara M Bull, Rhia F Pascua, Kelly C Holmes, Amanda D Loftis

Affiliation

¹ Arthropod-Borne Animal Disease Research Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Laramie, WY 82071, USA.

PMID: 18697325
DOI: 10.3376/1081-1710(2008)33[205:seotgr]2.0.co;2

Abstract

We tested sera from 176 homeless people in Houston for antibodies against typhus group rickettsiae (TGR). Sera from 19 homeless people were reactive to TGR antigens by ELISA and IFA. Two people had antibodies against Rickettsia prowazekii (epidemic typhus) and the remaining 17 had antibodies against Rickettsia typhi (murine typhus).

Publication types

Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adult
Aged
Antibodies, Bacterial / blood*
Antibodies, Bacterial / immunology
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
Female
Humans
Ill-Housed Persons*
Male
Middle Aged
Rickettsia prowazekii / immunology*
Rickettsia typhi / immunology*
Texas

Substances

Antibodies, Bacterial

Grants and funding

M01-RR 02558/RR/NCRR NIH HHS/United States