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The Journal of Clinical Investigation logoLink to The Journal of Clinical Investigation
. 1997 Dec 15;100(12):3014–3018. doi: 10.1172/JCI119855

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

W Sun 1, J W IJdo 1, S R Telford 3rd 1, E Hodzic 1, Y Zhang 1, S W Barthold 1, E Fikrig 1
PMCID: PMC508513  PMID: 9399947

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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Selected References

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