Relevance of Weil-Felix test in diagnosis of scrub typhus in India

Abstract

Objective: To study the relationship of Weil-Felix test and microimmunofluorescence test.

Methods: Sera of 21 patients with clinical diagnosis of scrub typhus were subjected to Weil-Felix and Microimmunofluorescence tests.

Results: On Weil-Felix test, 13 (62%) sera showed titers 1: > or = 40-320. 7 patients showed titers 1: > or = 320, 3 showed titers 1 : 160, 2 showed titers 1 : 80 and 1 patients showed titers 1 : 40, to Proteus OXK antigen. All 21 sera showed significant titers to O. tsutsugamushi on microimmunofluorescence.

Conclusion: Weil-Felix test is not a very sensitive test in diagnosis of scrub typhus but due to of lack of availability of definitive tests in India it canbe a useful tool when used and interpreted in the correct clinical context.