Why are there so few Rickettsia conorii conorii-infected Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks in the wild?

ABSTRACT:

Background

Rickettsia conorii conorii is the etiological agent of Mediterranean spotted fever, which is transmitted by the brown dog tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus. The relationship between the Rickettsia and its tick vector are still poorly understood one century after the first description of this disease.

Methodology/principal findings

An entomological survey was organized in Algeria to collect ticks from the houses of patients with spotted fever signs. Colonies of R. conorii conorii-infected and non-infected ticks were established under laboratory conditions. Gimenez staining and electron microscopy on the ovaries of infected ticks indicated heavy rickettsial infection. The transovarial transmission of R. conorii conorii in naturally infected Rh. sanguineus ticks was 100

SUBMITTER: Socolovschi C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3378603 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature