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Emerging infectious diseases2015; 21(2); 335-338; doi: 10.3201/eid2102.140290

Potentially novel Ehrlichia species in horses, Nicaragua.

Abstract: Ehrlichia sp. DNA was amplified from 4 Ehrlichia-seroreactive horses from Mérida, Nicaragua. Sequencing of 16S rDNA, sodB, and groEL genes indicated that the bacterium is most likely a novel Ehrlichia species. The tick vector and the potential for canine and human infection remain unknown.
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Publication Date: 2015-01-28 PubMed ID: 25625228PubMed Central: PMC4313632DOI: 10.3201/eid2102.140290Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support
  • U.S. Gov't
  • Non-P.H.S.

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research project discovered and analyzed previously unknown Ehrlichia bacteria in four horses from Mérida, Nicaragua. The research indicates that these bacteria could be a new species of Ehrlichia, although more information is needed about the tick vector and the possibility of infection in dogs and humans.

Research Methodology

  • The researchers used Ehrlichia-seroreactive horses from Mérida, Nicaragua. These are horses that have developed antibodies against Ehrlichia bacteria, indicating they have been exposed to the bacteria.
  • To find traces of the bacteria, the researchers amplified the DNA of the Ehrlichia present in these horses.

Gene Sequencing

  • Once the Ehrlichia DNA was amplified, it underwent gene sequencing. This is a way of identifying the exact order of the base pairs in a DNA molecule.
  • Three genes (16S rDNA, sodB, and groEL) were chosen for sequencing. These genes are commonly used in identifying and differentiating bacterial species.
  • The sequences of these genes were compared to those of known Ehrlichia species to determine if the bacteria in the Nicaraguan horses were a known species or something new.

Results and Conclusions

  • The sequence of the 16S rDNA, sodB, and groEL genes in the Ehrlichia from the Nicaraguan horses differed enough from those of known Ehrlichia species to suggest that this might indeed be a new species of Ehrlichia.
  • However, more information is needed to fully answer this question. In particular, researchers need to understand more about the tick vector (the type of tick that transmits this Ehrlichia species) and the epidemiology of the potential disease (whether it can infect dogs and humans).

Cite This Article

APA
O'Nion VL, Montilla HJ, Qurollo BA, Maggi RG, Hegarty BC, Tornquist SJ, Breitschwerdt EB. (2015). Potentially novel Ehrlichia species in horses, Nicaragua. Emerg Infect Dis, 21(2), 335-338. https://doi.org/10.3201/eid2102.140290

Publication

Emerging infectious diseases
ISSN: 1080-6059
NlmUniqueID: 9508155
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 21
Issue: 2
Pages: 335-338

Researcher Affiliations

O'Nion, Victoria L
    Montilla, Hernan J
      Qurollo, Barbara A
        Maggi, Ricardo G
          Hegarty, Barbara C
            Tornquist, Susan J
              Breitschwerdt, Edward B

                MeSH Terms

                • Animals
                • Ehrlichia / classification
                • Ehrlichia / genetics
                • Ehrlichiosis / veterinary
                • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
                • Horse Diseases / microbiology
                • Horses
                • Molecular Typing
                • Nicaragua / epidemiology
                • Phylogeny
                • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / genetics
                • Serotyping

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                This article has been cited 13 times.
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