METHOD OF GROWING RICKETTSIAE IN IXODES SCAPULARIS TICK CELL CULTURE AND PREPARING ANTIGENS AND VACCINES OF RICKETTSIAE

摘要

The invention is directed to methods of culturing rickettsiae in Ixodes scapularis cell lines. The methods of the invention provide for culture of microorganisms such as Anaplasma marginale, Ehrlichia canis, and Rickettsia rickettsii. A method of the invention involves incubating a rickettsia with an Ixodes scapularis tick cell culture in a culture medium under reduced oxygen and increased CO2 at a sufficient temperature until growth of the rickettsia is detected. The culture medium comprises a medium suitable for the growth of invertebrate cells supplemented with an organic buffer. The cell culture method can be used in large scale production of rickettsia containing products useful in diagnostic assays and vaccine preparations.