EHRLICHIA

Ehrlichia are zoonotic obligate intracellular alpha-proteobacteria of the family Ehrlichiaceae. Ticks serve as as the main reservoir and as vectors of ehrlichiosis while feeding on both humans and animals. The antibody response to infections by Ehrlichia chaffeensis and Ehrlichia canis is primarily directed against outer-membrane protein antigens and is most often detected using standard IFA and MIF methods.