Rocky Mountain spotted fever vaccine: a regional need.

Abstract

Because the killed Rickettsia vaccines have failed to provide protection against Rocky Mountain spotted fever, we approached the problem of protective immunity to Rickettsia rickettsii with a closely related, live, less pathogenic spotted fever Rickettsia. Guinea pigs vaccinated with R conorii produced antibodies to spotted fever group rickettsiae and did not have fever or other signs of illness after challenge with R rickettsii. A vaccine against Rocky Mountain spotted fever would be useful in some medical practices in the southeastern United States because of the life-threatening nature of the disease, including the possibility of a fulminant course and the frequent difficulty in diagnosis. Further studies should be pursued toward the goal of developing an effective vaccine against Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

• Authors: D H Walker, M R Montenegro, B C Hegarty, G R Tringali
• Journal: Southern medical journal (South Med J) Vol. 77 Issue 4 Pg. 447-9 (Apr 1984) ISSN: 0038-4348 [Print] United States
• PMID: 6424239 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Rickettsial Vaccines
• Vaccines

Topics

• Animals
• Female
• Guinea Pigs
• Male
• North Carolina
• Rickettsia (immunology, pathogenicity)
• Rickettsia rickettsii (immunology)
• Rickettsial Vaccines (immunology)
• Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (immunology, prevention & control)
• Vaccines (immunology)
• Virulence