Fig 1. Experimental design for tick feeding, R. parkeri/Vero cell inoculation, and sample collection.

Adult Amblyomma maculatum ticks were placed on the hosts as indicated. Either a partially purified low passage human isolate of R. parkeri or an uninfected Vero cell inoculum was administered at the indicated time points. Blood collection, physical exams (PE), rectal temperatures, and skin and lymph node biopsies were taken from all animals at the indicated time points. Complete necropsies were performed at the end of the study as indicated.