Immunization against the agent of human granulocytic ehrlichiosis in a murine model.

Sun, W; IJdo, J W; Telford, S R; Hodzic, E; Zhang, Y; Barthold, S W; Fikrig, E · J Clin Invest · 1997

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

The agent of human granulocytic ehrlichiosis (HGE) is a newly recognized tick-borne pathogen that resides within polymorphonuclear leukocytes. C3H/HeN mice can become infected with the agent of HGE (designated aoHGE) by syringe inoculation or tick-borne infection and develop transient neutropenia. They thereby partially mimic human disease and provide a model in which to study immunity to this microorganism. Mice vaccinated with lysates of purified aoHGE, or administered aoHGE antisera, were partially protected from both syringe- and tick-transmitted challenge with aoHGE. These data suggest that antibodies are sufficient to provide substantial, but not complete, immunity against aoHGE.

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