Figure 1.

Basic tropism of rickettsiae toward cultured cells. The growth of SFGR and TGR was monitored in cells derived from ticks, insects, and mammals. SFGR grew well in tick cells, while TGR grew well in insect cells. However, the growth of SFGR was restricted in insect cells and that of TGR was restricted in tick cells. Both groups of pathogenic rickettsiae grew well in mammalian cells. Both groups of rickettsiae were confirmed to be capable of adhering to all of the tested cells.