This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Reprints and Permissions Copyright Information Books from ASM Press MicrobeWorld Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Dodge, R. W. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Dodge, R. W.

 Previous Article  |  Next Article 

Infect Immun. 1973 December; 8(6): 891-895
Copyright © 1973 American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Human Serological Response to Louse-Borne Relapsing Fever

^a United States Naval Medical Research Unit No. 3, Research Detachment, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

ABSTRACT

Serological response to louse-borne relapsing fever in Ethiopia was determined by immobilization tests using Borrelia recurrentis cultures. Isolates from 26 patients tested with autologous convalescent sera showed from 90 to 100% of the organisms had been immobilized. Sera from thirteen patients were tested with autologous and heterologous strains. Several reacted with the majority and two showed high titers against all strains tested. Screening of day 2 and day 8 sera frequently showed heterologous antibody present before autologous antibody appeared, suggesting multiple antigenic challenge to infected patients. Some strains appeared to be antigenically related, but because of the wide diversity of serological responses, no definite serological groupings could be ascertained.

¹ Present address: State Laboratory of Hygiene, Madison, Wis. 53705.