[The pathogenesis of Q fever in the intratracheal infection of guinea pigs].

The intratracheal introduction of R. burnetii is the method of infection, highly similar to aerogenic infection, the most widespread route of R. burnetii infection in humans under natural conditions. This suggests that the study of the pathogenesis of Q fever resulting from the intratracheal infection of guinea pigs is highly topical. The authors have established that after the penetration of the infective agent generalized infection develops in the animals with rickettsiae accumulating mostly in the lungs and the organs of the reticuloendothelial system being affected; this infection is commonly more pronounced than that developing after the intraperitoneal inoculation of rickettsiae.