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Review
. 2009 Mar-Apr;40(2):34.
doi: 10.1051/vetres/2009017. Epub 2009 Apr 10.

The relationship between spotted fever group Rickettsiae and ixodid ticks

Cristina Socolovschi  1 , Oleg Mediannikov, Didier Raoult, Philippe Parola
Affiliations
Review

The relationship between spotted fever group Rickettsiae and ixodid ticks

Cristina Socolovschi et al. Vet Res. 2009 Mar-Apr.

Abstract

Spotted fever group Rickettsiae are predominantly transmitted by ticks. Rickettsiae have developed many strategies to adapt to different environmental conditions, including those within their arthropod vectors and vertebrate hosts. The tick-Rickettsiae relationship has been a point of interest for many researchers, with most studies concentrating on the role of ticks as vectors. Unfortunately, less attention has been directed towards the relationship of Rickettsiae with tick cells, tissues, and organs. This review summarizes our current understanding of the mechanisms involved in the relationship between ticks and Rickettsiae and provides an update on the recent methodological improvements that have allowed for comprehensive studies at the molecular level.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Rhipicephalus sanguineus (brown dog tick), the main vector of MSF and occasional vector of RMSF. From left to right: female, male, nymph, larva, and egg. Bar scale, 1 mm.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Life cycle of Amblyomma variegatum, modified from [83].
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Rickettsia conorii detected in hemolymph from infected Rhipicephalus sanguineus adult ticks using Gimenez staining. (For a colour version of this figure, please consult www.vetres.org.)
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Rickettsia conorii detected in ovaries from infected Rhipicephalus sanguineus adult ticks using electron microscopy.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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