T cells mediate cross-protective immunity between spotted fever group rickettsiae and typhus group rickettsiae

Gustavo Valbuena, Jeffrey M. Jordan, David H. Walker

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

28 Scopus citations

Abstract

Rickettsioses are severe infections caused by obligately intracellular bacteria that preferentially infect the endothelium lining the vasculature. The causative agents, rickettsiae, have been divided according to biological, genetic, and antigenic parameters into 2 main groups: spotted fever and typhus. They have not been thought to stimulate cross-reactive protective immune responses; however, in this study, we show that, in relevant animal models that mimic human rickettsial infections, there is reciprocal immunological cross-protection between spotted fever group and typhus group rickettsiae. Furthermore, we present evidence that T cells are responsible for this cross-immunity and that cross-stimulation of T cells also occurs in humans.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1221-1227
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Infectious Diseases
Volume190
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 1 2004

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Infectious Diseases

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