Unlocking the Science of Rickettsiology
For any inquiries, please email accounts@rickettsialab.org.au
Tests offered at ARRL
The Australian Rickettisal Reference Laboratory diagnoses diseases using three standards approaches:
SEROLOGY
Serology is the examination of the blood for antibodies to specific microorganisms.
It is performed using an indirect microimmunofluorescence assay (IFA), an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and an immunoblot system.
MOLECULAR
The detection of a specific DNA segment from the microorganism (molecular).
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The molecular assays are primarily performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and in some instances sequencing is utilised to confirm results.
CULTURE
Culture is the isolation of the organism using a medium that will sustain and encourage the microorganism to grow.
The culture work is performed primarily in cell culture but artificial media is also utilised.
