Detection of ehrlichial infection by using polymerase chain reaction |
Young-Sang Koh |
Department of Microbiology and BK21 Program, Jeju National University School of Medicine, Jeju, Korea |
Correspondence:
Young-Sang Koh, Email: yskoh7@jejunu.ac.kr |
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Abstract |
The ehrlichiae are small Gram-negative obligatory intracellular bacteria in the family Anaplasmataceae. Ehrlichiae infection ln an accidental host may result in severe fatal diseases such as human monocytotropic ehrlichiosis (HME), an emerging, tick-borne disease. Using Ehrlichia muris as a model organism, here I show that E. muris can infect bone marrow-derived dendritic cells and macrophages. The ehrlichial infection can be detected by polymerase chain reaction in cultured dendritic cells and macrophages as well as experimentally infected animals. |
Key Words:
Ehrlichia muris; Bacterial infections; Dendritic cells; Macrophages; Polymerase chin reaction |
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