C11709: Tick-Associated Pathogen Candidatus Rickettsia Amblyommii in Cell CultureNovelty:
Cell Culture of the bacterium Candidatus Rickettsia amblyommii from lone star ticks for research studies.
Value Proposition:
The lone star tick is a broadly distributed wild tick that has been recently found to transmit the bacterial pathogen Cadidatus Rickettsia amblyommii implicated in human diseases. This invention is a cell culture of Cadidatus Rickettsia amblyommii via infection of a mosquito cell line for easy laboratory experiments. Other advantages include:
• Used in experiments to test infection, pathogenicity and antibiotic resistance
• Can be cultured in commercially available media
• Cells can be grown at room temperature and atmosphere
• Develops high bacterial titers
• Mosquito cells are easier to culture than mammal or tick cells
Technical Details:
Johns Hopkins researchers have isolated and cultured the potential human pathogen Candidatus Rickettsia amblyommii from wild ticks using an Anopheles gambiae mosquito cell line (Sua5B). The infection was stable in the cells for over 40 passages with no decrease in the cell infection rate. Infection was confirmed by Rickettsia-specific PCR, gene sequencing and Rickettsia-specific fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH).
Looking for Partners:
To develop & commercialize the technology as a system to study Candidatus Rickettsia amblyommii in laboratory settings.
Stage of Development:
Ready for commercial use
Data Availability:
Under CDA / NDA
Publications/Associated Cases:
Ticks Tick Borne Dis. 2012 Feb;3(1):38-42
