Pathogenesis of Scrub Typhus Infection (<i>Rickettsia Tsutsugamushi</i>) as Studied by Immunofluorescence

Abstract

Summary The pathogenesis of R. tsutsugamushi in infected suckling and weanling mice was studied by the use of fluorescein-labeled antibodies. Although the areas of involvement differed with the route of inoculation, rickettsial antigen was observed primarily in connective tissues of mesenchymal origin. X-irradiation increased the mortality, shortened the incubation period and intensified the antigenic involvement. Rickettsiae could be found by infectivity titrations but not by fluorescent antibody staining in mice infected up to a year before. Attempts to cause a recrudescence by the use of various stresses were unsuccessful.