The ultrastructure of <i>Rickettsia slovaca</i> in naturally infected females of the tick <i>Dermacentor marginatus</i>

The ultrastructure of <i>Rickettsia slovaca</i> in naturally infected females of the tick <i>Dermacentor marginatus</i> is similar to that of other members of the spotted fever group rickettsiae. <i>R. slovaca</i> was found to multiply in all organs, tissues and cells examined. It is primarily found free in the cytoplasm; occasionally it may also invade the cell nucleus. Special attention was paid to the rickettsiae in the salivary gland. They multiply in all cells of the three acini types I-III and also in the duct cells. The amount of rickettsiae eliminated via the saliva reached values of about 10⁴EID₅₀/ml.