Establish the diagnosis of infection due to Rickettsia in the spotted fever group
Immediately following collection, thoroughly mix sample by gently inverting 5 times
Gold serum separator (SST) tube
Ambient (preferred) - 14 days
Refrigerated - 14 days
Frozen - 14 days
Freeze/thaw cycles - stable x3
Semi-quantitative indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA)
Negative: <1:64