Global surveillance of rickettsial diseases: memorandum from a WHO meeting.

Rickettsial diseases are widely distributed throughout the world and are particularly prevalent in developing countries. An indirect immunofluorescence antibody test and standard protocol for its use have been developed and distributed to laboratories in 37 countries. This Memorandum summarizes the results obtained as well as the conclusions and recommendations made by participants at a WHO meeting on the Global Surveillance of Rickettsial Diseases, held in Oslo on 10 September 1991.