Methods for detecting
View Patent ↗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.
1. A method for detecting Ehrlichia in a sample comprising the steps of:
( a ) contacting the sample with an antibody that binds a 21 amino acid peptide having the sequence of SEQ ID NO:2 to form an antibody/peptide complex; and
( b ) detecting the complex.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the sample is from a dog.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the sample is serum.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein said Ehrlichia is Ehrlichia chaffeensis, Ehrlichia muris, Ehrlichia ewingii, Ehrlichia ruminantium or Ehrlichia canis.