A rickettsia-like organism showing positive immunofluorescence with antisera to Coxiella burnetii in Haemaphysalis inermis ticks.
A rickettsia-like organism (RLO) was detected in the oocytes of Haemaphysalis inermis ticks. The RLOs were about 5 microns long bent rods with a definite inner structure. They were Gram-negative and could be visualized by Giemsa but not by Gimenez staining. Attempts to cultivate the RLO in chick embryo yolk sacs, various types of cell culture and tick body cavities were unsuccessful. The RLO displayed a bright immunofluorescence with antisera to Coxiella burnetii, but no immunofluorescence was obtained with antisera to representatives of typhus and spotted fever group rickettsiae, with the exception of very weak fluorescence with serum from a rabbit immunized with Rickettsia akari and one serum from Apodemus flavicollis immunized with Rickettsia conorii. These findings should be taken into consideration when studying the infestation of ticks with rickettsiae.
D000818:Animals; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000276:immunology; D003381:Coxiella / Q000276:immunology*; D003429:Cross Reactions; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D051379:Mice; D009865:Oocytes / Q000382:microbiology; D012287:Rickettsiaceae / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000502:physiology; D013987:Ticks / Q000382:microbiology*
D000956:Antigens, Viral