Abstract
Detecting spirochetes remains challenging in cases of African tick-borne relapsing fever. Using real-time PCR specific for the 16S rRNA Borrelia gene, we found 27 (13%) of 206 samples from febrile patients in rural Senegal to be positive, whereas thick blood smear examinations conducted at dispensaries identified only 4 (2%) as positive.
MeSH terms
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Adolescent
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Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
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Borrelia / genetics
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Borrelia / physiology*
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Child
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Child, Preschool
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Female
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Genes, Bacterial / genetics
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Humans
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Male
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RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / genetics
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Relapsing Fever / diagnosis*
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Relapsing Fever / drug therapy
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Relapsing Fever / epidemiology
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Relapsing Fever / transmission
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Senegal / epidemiology
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Young Adult
Substances
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Anti-Bacterial Agents
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RNA, Ribosomal, 16S