Compositions and methods for identifying
The invention provides methods, kits, compositions, and devices useful for detection of antibodies that bind to Ehrlichia antigens and/or for differentiation of certain Ehrlichia species from others. In particular, the invention provides methods and kits useful for identifying species of Ehrlichia using populations of isolated peptides.
1. A kit comprising:
a first population of isolated peptides comprising at least three different peptides, each comprising a sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1;
a second population of isolated peptides comprising at least three different peptides, each comprising a sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2;
a third population of isolated peptides comprising at least three different peptides, each comprising a sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3; and
an instruction for using the first, second, and third populations of peptides to identify the species of Ehrlichia in a biological sample, if present.
2. The kit of claim 1 , further comprising one or more labeling reagents.
3. The kit of claim 1 , wherein the first, second, and/or third populations of peptides are immobilized to a solid support.
4. The kit of claim 1 , wherein the kit comprises one or more antibodies conjugated to a detectable label.
5. The kit of claim 4 , wherein the detectable label is selected from the group consisting of metallic nanoparticles, metallic nanoshells, metallic nanolayers, fluorophores, quantum dots, colored latex particles, and enzymes.
6. The kit of claim 1 , wherein the kit comprises Protein A, Protein G, Protein A/G fusion proteins, Protein L, or combinations thereof conjugated to a detectable label.
7. The kit of claim 1 , wherein:
X 39 in SEQ ID NO: 1 is K;
X 44 in SEQ ID NO: 1 is K or R;
X 49 in SEQ ID NO: 1 is E or D;
X 56 in SEQ ID NO: 1 is K or Q;
X 58 in SEQ ID NO: 1 is E or T;
X 7 in SEQ ID NO: 2 is K;
X 12 in SEQ ID NO: 2 is K or R;
X 17 in SEQ ID NO: 2 is E or D;
X 24 in SEQ ID NO: 2 is K or Q; and/or
X 26 in SEQ ID NO: 2 is E or T.
8. The kit of claim 1 , wherein the instruction for using the first, second, and third populations of peptides to identify the species of Ehrlichia in a biological sample comprises instruction to perform at least one of said detecting steps selected from: (i) performing an ELISA assay; (ii) running a lateral flow assay; (iii) performing an agglutination assay; (iv) performing a Western blot, slot blot, or dot blot assay; (v) performing a wavelength shift assay; (vi) running the sample through an analytical or centrifugal rotor; or (vii) running a microarray assay.