Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) can be difficult to diagnose due to the non-specific signs and symptoms in early stages of illness. Signs and symptoms can vary from patient to patient and can resemble other, more common diseases. Nonetheless, early consideration of rickettsial disease in the differential diagnosis and empiric treatment is crucial to prevent severe illness and death.

Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is a bacterial disease spread through the bite of an infected tick.

The RMSF (Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever) IgG by IFA (Indirect Fluorescent Antibody) marker is a vital component of the serological testing for the diagnosis of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, a serious tick-borne illness caused by the bacterium Rickettsia rickettsii. This test is designed to detect Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies that the immune system produces in response to an infection with R. rickettsii. IgG antibodies are a crucial part of the adaptive immune response, generally developing within a few weeks following the initial exposure to the pathogen and persisting in the bloodstream for a prolonged period, thereby indicating either past exposure or a chronic infection.

This test measures IgM antibodies to Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.

IgM antibodies to RMSF are typically detectable within 1-2 weeks of infection.  They will typically no longer be detectable after a few months. 

Testing for RMSF is recommended for anyone who develops symptoms after being bitten by a tick or spending time outdoors in areas where ticks are prevalent. RMSF Antibody testing can sometimes show false positives due to cross-reactivity with other illnesses including Lyme Disease.

RNA Polymerase III antibodies are a specific type of autoantibody that can play a significant role in helping doctors understand certain health conditions. Imagine your body's immune system as a well-trained security system. Sometimes, this system mistakenly identifies parts of your own body as threats, producing antibodies against them - this is where RNA Polymerase III antibodies come into play. These antibodies target an enzyme called RNA Polymerase III, which is crucial for generating certain types of RNA molecules inside your cells.

Antibodies to ribonucleoprotein, RNP, are found often in very high levels in patients with a variety of systemic rheumatic diseases, including SLE, progressive systemic sclerosis and Mixed Connective Tissue Disease, a distinct disease entity with overlapping clinical features of SLE, scleroderma, polymyositis and rheumatoid arthritis.

These autoantibodies usually give a strong speckled pattern of nuclear staining in immunofluorescence. The structure of the antigens recognised by anti-RNP antibodies is complex. The commonest determinants and ones which are most widely detected are those called RNP or U1RNP. Anti-RNP antibodies can be detected alone (usually in MCTD) or together with anti-Sm (lupus). Anti-Sm is seldom found alone.

A positive result for RNP antibodies is consistent with a connective tissue disease. Although strongly associated with connective tissue diseases, RNP antibodies are not considered a "marker" for any particular disease except in the following situation: when found in isolation (ie, dsDNA antibodies and Sm antibodies are not detectable), a positive result for RNP antibodies is consistent with the diagnosis of mixed connective tissue disease. 

RNP/Sm Antibody is an extractable nuclear antigen (ENA) associated with Mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD).

Extractable nuclear antigens (ENA) are autoantibodies in the blood that react with proteins in the cell nucleus. These proteins are known as “extractable” because they can be removed from cell nuclei using saline and represent six main proteins (Ro, La, Sm, RNP, Scl-70 and Jo1).

Autoantibodies are produced when a person’s immune system mistakenly targets and attacks the body’s own tissues. This attack can cause inflammation, tissue damage, and other signs and symptoms that are associated with an autoimmune disorder.

Certain autoimmune disorders are characteristically associated with the presence of one or more anti-ENA antibodies, such as mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD), lupus (SLE), Sjögren syndrome, scleroderma, and polymyositis/dermatomyositis. Autoantibody association can aid in the diagnosis of an autoimmune disorder and help distinguish between other autoimmune disorders. 

The Ro-52kD Antibody is a type of autoantibody, meaning it is an antibody produced by the immune system that mistakenly targets and attacks the body's own tissues. Specifically, this antibody targets a protein that is 52 kilodaltons (kD) in size, which is why it is referred to as the Ro-52kD Antibody. This protein is found in various cells throughout the body, including those in the skin, joints, and internal organs. The presence of Ro-52kD Antibodies is commonly associated with autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and Sjögren's syndrome. These conditions occur when the immune system becomes overactive and attacks the body’s own tissues, leading to inflammation and damage. The Ro-52kD Antibody can be detected through blood tests, which are often used by doctors to help diagnose these autoimmune diseases. Elevated levels of this antibody can indicate an active autoimmune process and may help guide treatment decisions. It is important for individuals with autoimmune diseases to be monitored regularly, as the presence of Ro-52kD Antibodies can provide valuable information about the progression and activity of their condition.

Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is a tick-borne disease caused by the intracellular bacterium Rickettsia rickettsii.

Roridin E is a macrocyclic trichothecene produced by the mold species Fusarium, Myrothecium, and Stachybotrys (i.e. black mold).  Trichothecenes are frequently found in buildings with water damage but can also be found in contaminated grain.

Roridin H is produced mainly by Stachybotrys and categorized as a trichothecene mycotoxin. There are reports showing the involvement of these trichothecene in the development of 'sick building syndrome'. These trichothecenes were found in air samples in the ventilation systems of private houses and office buildings, and on the walls of houses with high humidity. The symptoms of airborne toxicosis disappeared when the buildings and ventilation systems were thoroughly cleaned.

Roseburia is a genus (=group) of 5 species of bacteria named in the 1980s after American microbiologist Theodor Rosebury. Bacteria in this genus are notable for breaking down sugar, and producing a short-chain fatty acid called butyrate which is important as a food for the cells lining the colon.

Roseburia homini is a gram-negative or gram-variable, anaerobic bacterium. Being a butyrate-producing bacterium, the derived anti-inflammatory proprieties have been inversely associated to the active status of Crohn’s disease. Decreased abundance of R. hominis has been also associated to IBS and colorectal carcinogenesis. Roseburia negatively correlates with plasma glucose in T2D patients, suggesting a possible role in glucose homeostasis. Lower levels of Roseburia have been detected in subjects affected by Parkinson’s diseases and gallstones.

Roseburia intestinalis is a bacterium commonly found in the human gut and is known for its role in producing butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid that has beneficial effects on gut health. In a gastrointestinal (GI) test, the presence and levels of Roseburia intestinalis can provide insights into the health of the gut microbiome.

Roseburia is a genus (=group) of 5 species of bacteria named in the 1980s after American microbiologist Theodor Rosebury. Bacteria in this genus are notable for breaking down sugar, and producing a short-chain fatty acid called butyrate which is important as a food for the cells lining the colon.

A genus of Gram-positive anaerobic bacteria in the Clostridia class that inhabit the human colon. The Roseburia genus has five well-characterized species, all of which produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), such as acetate, propionate, and butyrate. Roseburia can also produce butyrate from acetate promoting balance in energy homeostasis. The genus is widely recognized to influence colonic motility, support immunity, and suppress inflammation.