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Ehrlichia

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Genome Mapping and Genomics in Animal-Associated Microbes

This chapter deals with Ehrlichia Infections in Animals and covers the three species in the genus that are responsible for the most important veterinary and human ehrlichioses: E. canis, E. chaffeensis, and E. ruminantium. There is an Introduction, which gives a summary of the history and classical biology of these organisms, and this is followed by the extensive Genomics section. Complete genome sequences are available for all three organisms, including those of three different strains of E. ruminantium, and several detailed inter- and intra-species genomic comparisons are described. Topics discussed include genetic and phenotypic variability and genomic insights into the biology and evolution of Ehrlichia. There is a section on the practical applications of genomic knowledge to molecular diagnostics, epidemiology, and vaccine development for Ehrlichia, and the chapter ends with suggestions for future research goals. This chapter shows how genomics has provided new insights into the biology of the previously poorly understood Ehrlichia, which will enhance opportunities for controlling the diseases caused by these organisms.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort, 0110, South Africa

    Basil A. Allsopp

  2. Departments of Pathology and Microbiology and Immunology, Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Sealy Center for Vaccine Development, Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA

    Jere W. McBride

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  1. Basil A. Allsopp
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  2. Jere W. McBride
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Genome Sciences and Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21021, USA

    Vishvanath Nene

  2. Department of Genetics & Biochemistry, Clemson University, 111 Jordan Hall, Clemson, SC, 29634, USA

    Chittaranjan Kole

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Allsopp, B.A., McBride, J.W. (2009). Ehrlichia. In: Nene, V., Kole, C. (eds) Genome Mapping and Genomics in Animal-Associated Microbes. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-74042-1_4

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