Md. Ravyn et al., Isolation of the etiologic agent of human granulocytic ehrlichiosis from the 'white-footed mouse (Peromyscus leucopus), J CLIN MICR, 39(1), 2001, pp. 335-338
We examined white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus) from Minnesota for infe
ction with the etiologic agent of human granulocytic ehrlichiosis (HGE). Fr
om April to September 1997, we collected P. leucopus from Washington County
, Minnesota, an area enzootic for HGE. Blood was cultivated in HL60 cells f
or isolation of the HGE agent. Of 59 mice examined, only a single mouse was
culture positive for the HGE agent. The 16S ribosomal DNA sequence of the
isolate was determined to be identical to that of the HGE agent. The isolat
e was reactive with monoclonal antibodies to the 44-kDa antigen of the HGE
agent and was infectious for laboratory mice.