Application of monoclonal antibody, specific for intracellular Orientia tsutsugamushi, to immunofluorescent antibody test for determining antibiotic susceptibility.

The simple quantification of viable intracellular bacteria is important for the study of an obligate intracellular bacterium, Orientia tsutsugamushi. We applied a novel monoclonal antibody (M686-13)--specific for intracellular Orientia--to an immunofluorescent antibody (IFA) test for determining antibiotic susceptibility of O. tsutsugamushi. M686-13 did not react with Orientia that was inhibited by doxycycline, although bacterial particles still remained in the cells. This preferential staining of proliferating bacteria made the IFA test rapid and precise. Using this method, we could successfully measure the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of a Korean strain of O. tsutsugamushi to doxycycline and clindamycin. This method may be used in other procedures to evaluate the growth of Orientia.