Rickettsias

• What type of pathogens are Reckettsias?


  • obligate intracellular parasites
  • unusual since they have functional genes for protein synthesis, ATP production, and reproduction
• What do Rickettsias contain?


  • extremely small and contain both DNA, RNA, and ribosomes
• How do Rickettsias reproduce?


  • By binary fission
• Who are Rickettsias named after?


  • Howard Ricketts
• What are the characteristics of Rickettsias?


  • extremely small
  • almost wall-less due to the small amount of peptidoglycan present
• What is the theory for why Rickettsias could be obligate intracellular parasites?


  • Leaky cytoplasmic membrane
• What are the four genera that cause disease in humans?

  • Rickettsia
  • Orientia
  • Ehrlichia
  • Anaplasma