A Method of Purifying <i>Coxiella Burnetii</i> and Other Pathogenic Rickettsiae

Abstract

Summary A method of readily purifying large amounts of rickettsiae by means of differential, continuous flow centrifugation from molar salt solutions followed by ether treatment has been described. This technique has been applied to Coxiella burnetii, Rickettsia rickettsii, Rickettsia prowazekii, and Rickettsia mooserii. Purified preparations of C. burnetii and R. rickettsii prepared in this manner have been shown to possess, when tested as vaccines, protective qualities fully equal to those of conventional rickettsial vaccines.