Characterization of the major antigenic protein 2 of Ehrlichia canis and Ehrlichia chaffeensis and its application for serodiagnosis of ehrlichiosis.

ABSTRACT: Canine monocytic ehrlichiosis, caused by Ehrlichia canis or Ehrlichia chaffeensis, can result in clinical disease in naturally infected animals. Coinfections with these agents may be common in certain areas of endemicity. Currently, a species-specific method for serological diagnosis of monocytic ehrlichiosis is not available. Previously, we developed two indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) using the major antigenic protein 2 (MAP2) of E. chaffeensis and E. canis. In this study, we further characterized the conservation of MAP2 among various geographic isolates of each organism and determined if the recombinant MAP2 (rMAP2) of E. chaffeensis would cross-react with E. canis-infected dog sera. Genomic Southern blot analysis using digoxigenin-labeled species-specific probes s

SUBMITTER: Knowles TT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC164268 | biostudies-literature | 2003 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature