Characterization of a tandem repeat polymorphism in Rickettsia strains

Liliana Vitorino1, Rita de Sousa1, Fatima Bacellar1

  • 1Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Ciências, Centro de Genética e Biologia Molecular and Instituto de Ciência Aplicada e Tecnologia, Edifício ICAT, Campus FCUL, Campo Grande. 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal 2CEVDI, Instituto Nacional de Saúde Dr Ricardo Jorge, 2965 Águas de Moura, Portugal.

Summary

Mediterranean spotted fever (MSF) is a tick-borne illness caused by Rickettsia conorii. A new VNTR marker, Rc-65, effectively differentiates between Portuguese and Israeli tick typhus strains, aiding rapid identification.

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