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. 1980 Feb;27(2):638–642. doi: 10.1128/iai.27.2.638-642.1980

Sexual transmission of spotted fever group rickettsiae by infected male ticks: detection of rickettsiae in immature spermatozoa of Ixodes ricinus.

S F Hayes, W Burgdorfer, A Aeschlimann
PMCID: PMC550812  PMID: 7380544

Abstract

Electron microscopic evidence is provided showing that the newly described "Swiss agent," a spotted fever group rickettsia, is incorporated into the reproductive cells of its male tick vector, Ixodes ricinus. Rickettsiae were found in spermatogonia, spermatocytes, and maturing spermatids. The potential significance of these observations is briefly discussed in relation to published data on sexual transmission of rickettsiae by ticks.

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Selected References

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