Buerger's disease: is it a rickettsiosis?

A serologic study using the direct seroagglutinate method described by Babudieri and Zardi was carried out in 31 patients affected by Buerger's disease, to determine the positive antibody reaction level against rickettsial disease. In 41.9% of the cases there was a positive test for R. burnetii, in 6.4% a positive test for R. mooserii, and in one a positive test for R. conorii. The results lead us to believe that these pathogenic agents are largely responsible for the development of thromboangiitis obliterans.