Use of a method of immunoradiometric analysis for detecting the persistence of Rickettsiae and their antigens in an experimental infection in cotton rats

An indirect modification of the radioimmunoassay (RIA) was shown to be highly sensitive in the determination of the minimal amounts of R. prowazekii and their antigens in the organs and tissues of infected animals. RIA proved to be effective in the determination of the antigens in the blood in cases of R. prowazekii persistence in infected animals. The data obtained in these investigations point to good prospects for using RIA in the study of persistence of microorganisms and their antigens.