Use of partially engorged female ticks as laboratory animals in microbiological research.

Partially engorged female ticks were used as laboratory animals in microbiological research. The ticks, which were inoculated intracoelomally, became a convenient substrate for the detection of viruses, rickettsiae and protozoal parasites. This research concerned the isolation of newly recovered micro-organisms, the study of development, structure and distribution of microbial agents in ticks, and the study of their interaction with other pathogens or symbionts during mixed infection in a tick body. The isolation and maintenance of Rickettsiella phytoseiuli, the organism not of tick-borne origin, was achieved. For use in Central Europe the tick Dermacentor reticulatus is recommended for the above investigations.