Table 1 Temporal dynamics of rickettsial transmission between co-feeding cat fleas. Cat fleas were either exposed to an infectious bloodmeal for 1, 3, 6 or 12 h, and then divided into feeding capsules containing naïve cat fleas for 24 h (exposure bioassay), or exposed to an infectious bloodmeal for 24 h, and then divided into feeding capsules containing naïve cat fleas for 1, 3, 6 or 12 h (association bioassay). Acquisition of novel infection by recipient fleas was assessed by qPCR. Rickettsial infection loads were determined by quantifying the copy number of a portion of the R. felis 17-kDa antigen gene per individual flea lysate

From: Transmission mechanisms of an emerging insect-borne rickettsial pathogen