Since Mincle-/- and WT MΦ exhibited comparable bacterial loads from 4–48 hr of infection in vitro (S5C Fig), we speculate that Mincle enhances proinflammation and type 1-mediated response in target cells and inflamed tissues, rather than directly influences O. tsutsugamushi invasion and intracellular replication in target cells. This evidence concerns the gene CLEC4E and infection.