Tifus exantemático en las provincias de Quispicanchis, Paucartambo y Acomayo del departamento del Cusco, Perú

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the Rickettsia infection through the detection of antibodies or DNA in probable cases of exanthematic typhus in Quispicanchis, Acomayo and Paucartambo provinces, Cusco, Peru. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive study conducted between June and December 2001, Rickettsia infection in blood samples of patients older than 5 years with a probable diagnosis of exanthematic typhus was detected using antibody detection with the immunoperoxidase method and DNA detection by PCR test (patients with temperature ≥ 38°C and being ill for less than 5 days). Results: In 23 (33.8%) patients out of 68 probable cases, the presence of anti-Rickettsias antibodies: 13 (19.1%) with a 1/64 titer and 10 (14.7%) with a 1/128 titer, was found. Patients older than 14 years showed more positive immunoperoxidase results compared to younger patients (p=0.008, OR=7.24). None of the 26 PCR performed was positive. Conclusions: The Rickettsia infection in probable cases of exanthematic typhus in the studied provinces was demonstrated using the immunoperoxidase tecnique.