Multiple Ehrlichia chaffeensis Genes Critical for Its Persistent Infection in a Vertebrate Host Are Identified by Random Mutagenesis Coupled with In Vivo Infection Assessment.

ABSTRACT: Ehrlichia chaffeensis, a tick-transmitted obligate intracellular rickettsial agent, causes human monocytic ehrlichiosis. In recent reports, we described substantial advances in developing random and targeted gene disruption methods to investigate the functions of E. chaffeensis genes. We reported earlier that the Himar1 transposon-based random mutagenesis is a valuable tool in defining E. chaffeensis genes critical for its persistent growth in vivo in reservoir and incidental hosts. The method also aided in extending studies focused on vaccine development and immunity. Here, we describe the generation and mapping of 55 new mutations. To define the critical nature of the bacterial genes, infection experiments were carried out in the canine host with pools of muta

SUBMITTER: Wang Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7504954 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature