Abstract: Provided herein are chimeric polypeptides that may be used, e.g., for the diagnosis of or vaccination against Ehrlichia chaffeensis and/or Ehrlichia canis.

Abstract: Provided herein are chimeric polypeptides that may be used, e.g., for the diagnosis of or vaccination against Ehrlichia chaffeensis and/or Ehrlichia canis.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for diagnosing and vaccinating against Ehrlichia canis and Ehrlichia chaffeensis are provided.

Abstract: Provided herein are chimeric polypeptides that may be used, e.g., for the diagnosis of or vaccination against Ehrlichia chaffeensis and/or Ehrlichia canis.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for diagnosing and vaccinating against Ehrlichia chaffeensis are provided.

Abstract: Provided herein are chimeric polypeptides that may be used, e.g., for the diagnosis of or vaccination against Ehrlichia chaffeensis and/or Ehrlichia canis.

Abstract: Certain embodiments are directed to detection methods and methods of identifying detection targets for sensitive and specific laboratory tests to diagnose and monitor rickettsial infections during the earliest stages of the disease and to assess the degree of illness.

Abstract: Provided herein are chimeric polypeptides that may be used, e.g., for the diagnosis of or vaccination against Ehrlichia chaffeensis and/or Ehrlichia canis.

Abstract: Certain embodiments are direct to a vaccine composition comprising an immunizing amount of an Ehrlichia sonicate, wherein the Ehrlichia sonicate elicits a protective physiologic response. In certain aspects the Ehrlichia is one or more of E. canis, E. chaffeensis, E. muris, E. ruminantium, E. ewingii, and E. ovis.

Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated and purified heat shock protein 60 (Hsp60) peptide having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2. The instant invention is also directed to a vaccine against Ehrlichia comprising a peptide homologous to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2. The instant invention is also directed to an antibody directed against a peptide homologous to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2. The instant invention is also directed to a method of determining whether a subject is infected with Ehrlichia, comprising the steps of: contacting a sample from a subject with the antibody described herein; and detecting a resulting antibody reaction, wherein a positive reaction indicates the subject is infected with Ehrlichia.

Abstract: Certain embodiments are direct to a vaccine composition comprising an immunizing amount of an Ehrlichia sonicate, wherein the Ehrlichia sonicate elicits a protective physiologic response. In certain aspects the Ehrlichia is one or more of E. canis, E. chaffeensis, E. muris, E. ruminantium, E. ewingii, and E. ovis.

Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated and purified heat shock protein 60 (Hsp60) peptide having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2. The instant invention is also directed to a vaccine against Ehrlichia comprising a peptide homologous to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2. The instant invention is also directed to an antibody directed against a peptide homologous to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2. The instant invention is also directed to a method of determining whether a subject is infected with Ehrlichia, comprising the steps of: contacting a sample from a subject with the antibody described herein; and detecting a resulting antibody reaction, wherein a positive reaction indicates the subject is infected with Ehrlichia.

Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated and purified heat shock protein 60 (Hsp60) peptide having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2. The instant invention is also directed to a vaccine against Ehrlichia comprising a peptide homologous to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2. The instant invention is also directed to an antibody directed against a peptide homologous to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2. The instant invention is also directed to a method of determining whether a subject is infected with Ehrlichia, comprising the steps of: contacting a sample from a subject with the antibody described herein; and detecting a resulting antibody reaction, wherein a positive reaction indicates the subject is infected with Ehrlichia.

Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated and purified heat shock protein 60 (Hsp60) peptide having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2. The instant invention is also directed to a vaccine against Ehrlichia comprising a peptide homologous to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2. The instant invention is also directed to an antibody directed against a peptide homologous to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2. The instant invention is also directed to a method of determining whether a subject is infected with Ehrlichia, comprising the steps of: contacting a sample from a subject with the antibody described herein; and detecting a resulting antibody reaction, wherein a positive reaction indicates the subject is infected with Ehrlichia.

Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated and purified heat shock protein 60 (Hsp60) peptide having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2. The instant invention is also directed to a vaccine against Ehrlichia comprising a peptide homologous to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2. The instant invention is also directed to an antibody directed against a peptide homologous to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2. The instant invention is also directed to a method of determining whether a subject is infected with Ehrlichia, comprising the steps of: contacting a sample from a subject with the antibody described herein; and detecting a resulting antibody reaction, wherein a positive reaction indicates the subject is infected with Ehrlichia.

Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated Ehrlichia peptide and therapeutic and diagnostic uses therefor.

Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated Ehrlichia peptide and therapeutic and diagnostic uses therefor.

Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated and purified heat shock protein 60 (Hsp60) peptide having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2. The instant invention is also directed to a vaccine against Ehrlichia comprising a peptide homologous to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2. The instant invention is also directed to an antibody directed against a peptide homologous to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2. The instant invention is also directed to a method of determining whether a subject is infected with Ehrlichia, comprising the steps of: contacting a sample from a subject with the antibody described herein; and detecting a resulting antibody reaction, wherein a positive reaction indicates the subject is infected with Ehrlichia.

Abstract: Novel genes encoding homologous immunoreactive thio-disulfide oxidoreductases, or disulfide bond formation (Dsb) proteins from Ehrlichia chaffeensis and Ehrlichia canis are disclosed. While the E. chaffeensis and E. canis Dsb proteins are at most only 31% or less homologous to other known Dsb proteins, the Ehrlichia Dsbs contain a cysteine active site, Cys-Gly-Tyr-Cys, similar to those in known Dsb proteins. As predicted by 15-amino acid identical N-terminal signal peptides, the proteins are primarily localized in the periplasm of E. chaffeensis and E. canis, possibly playing a role in antigenicity and pathogenesis. The present invention provides the nucleotide and amino acid sequences and expression vectors for the E. chaffeensis and E. canis dsb genes, antisera directed against the proteins, and kits to determine whether an individual or animal is infected with a given species of Ehrlichia.

Abstract: Sequences encoding two immunoreactive glycoproteins were cloned from Ehrlichia canis (p153 gene) and Ehrlichia chaffeensis (p156 gene). These two glycoproteins are species-specific immunoreactive orthologs that are useful as subunit vaccines and for serologic and molecular diagnostics for E. canis and E. chaffeensis.