{"database":"biostudies-literature","file_versions":[],"scores":null,"additional":{"omics_type":["Unknown"],"volume":["20(2)"],"submitter":["Phuklia W"],"pubmed_abstract":["<h4>Background</h4>Murine typhus is a flea-borne disease caused by Rickettsia typhi that typically presents as an acute febrile illness. The diagnosis is often missed, leading to delays in appropriate treatment. A qPCR targeting a single gene (ompB) for R. typhi is widely used for diagnosis; however, it has low sensitivity for detecting bacterial DNA in patients' blood. We aimed to increase sensitivity of detection of R. typhi using qPCR by targeting a gene containing repetitive sequences, sca2 (surface cell antigen 2).<h4>Methodology</h4>We compared diagnostic accuracy with the standard assay targeting single sequence ompB (outer membrane protein B). Specificity, sensitivity, and bacterial load measurement of both assays were compared using stored EDTA-anticoagulated buffy coat samples fr"],"journal":["PLoS neglected tropical diseases"],"pagination":["e0014004"],"full_dataset_link":["https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12919770"],"repository":["biostudies-literature"],"pubmed_title":["Targeting surface cell antigen 2 increases sensitivity of Rickettsia typhi detection."],"pmcid":["PMC12919770"],"pubmed_authors":["Phuklia W","Mayxay M","Ashley EA","Vongphachanh S","Padith K","Phommasone K","Chansamouth V","Newton PN","Robinson MT"],"additional_accession":[]},"is_claimable":false,"name":"Targeting surface cell antigen 2 increases sensitivity of Rickettsia typhi detection.","description":"<h4>Background</h4>Murine typhus is a flea-borne disease caused by Rickettsia typhi that typically presents as an acute febrile illness. The diagnosis is often missed, leading to delays in appropriate treatment. A qPCR targeting a single gene (ompB) for R. typhi is widely used for diagnosis; however, it has low sensitivity for detecting bacterial DNA in patients' blood. We aimed to increase sensitivity of detection of R. typhi using qPCR by targeting a gene containing repetitive sequences, sca2 (surface cell antigen 2).<h4>Methodology</h4>We compared diagnostic accuracy with the standard assay targeting single sequence ompB (outer membrane protein B). Specificity, sensitivity, and bacterial load measurement of both assays were compared using stored EDTA-anticoagulated buffy coat samples fr","dates":{"release":"2026-01-01T00:00:00Z","publication":"2026 Feb","modification":"2026-07-16T10:06:00.488Z","creation":"2026-07-09T10:48:53.016Z"},"accession":"S-EPMC12919770","cross_references":{"pubmed":["41712622"],"doi":["10.1371/journal.pntd.0014004"]}}