CYTOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION ON RICKETTSIA-TSUTSUGAMUSHI INFECTION OF MICE WITH DIFFERENT ALLOTYPIC SUSCEPTIBILITY TO AGENT

Abstract

Cytological and cytochemical studies on Swiss and random-bred white mice susceptible to R. tsutsugamushi infection and resistant C57 Black 6 and CBA mice revealed a clear-cut relationship between the severity of infection and the pattern of macrophage reaction. In highly susceptible mice the fatal infection was accompanied by death of macrophages and peritoneal exudate cell necrosis. The resistant mice showed no clinical signs but developed an intensive macrophage reaction; the main mass of the inoculated rickettsiae died at the inoculation site; the macrophages remained viable. Phagocytosis and digestion of rickettsiae were accompanied by markedly increased hydrolytic and oxidizing-reducing enzyme activities.