Table 5. Selected literature data on serological cross-protection among different spotted fever group rickettsiae in animal models.

Compared rickettsiae	Animal model	Antigen	Results of the study	Reference
R. africae vs. R. conorii	Guinea pigs	Sublethal doses alive rickettsiae	Absence of cross-immunity	[66]
	Guinea pigs	Sublethal doses alive rickettsiae	Reciprocal cross-protection	[67]
R. conorii vs. R. rickettsii	Guinea pigs	Sublethal doses alive rickettsiae	Reciprocal cross-protection	[69], [73]
R. rickettsii vs. R. australis	Guinea pigs	Sublethal doses alive rickettsiae	Absence of cross-immunity	[74]
R. parkeri vs. R. rickettsii vs. R. conorii	Guinea pigs	Sublethal doses alive rickettsiae	Reciprocal cross-protection	[75]
R. sibirica vs. R. heilongjiangensis vs. R. conorii	Guinea pigs	Sublethal doses alive rickettsiae	Absence of cross-immunity	[76]
R. rickettsii vs. R. montanensis	Guinea pigs	Sublethal doses alive rickettsiae	Reciprocal cross-protection	[77]