A patient was suspected of having a rickettsial infection after hiking in the Rocky Mountains.A Weil-Felix test was performed,which resulted in no agglutination observed.Which one of the following statements explains this discrepancy?
A)Detection of rickettsial infections using strains of Proteus is not as specific as other serologic tests;therefore the infections should be retested with a newer method.
B)The Weil-Felix test is not the appropriate test to order;it cannot detect cross-reacting antibodies.
C)Rickettsial antibodies should be tested using the fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption (FTA-ABS)test,not the Weil-Felix test.
D)No discrepancy is present.Rickettsial antibodies do not agglutinate with Proteus antigens.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Weil-Felix test is an older method and is not as sensitive as some of the newer tests;therefore,infections should be retested to ensure an accurate result.

A Patient Was Suspected of Having a Rickettsial Infection After