Human monocytic ehrlichiosis (HME) is a potentially fatal tick-borne disease of humans prevalent in the southern regions of North America. Caused by Ehrlichia bacteria, if left untreated HME can cause meningoencephalitis, respiratory distress syndrome, acute renal failure, hypotensive shock, and death. Researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) have developed a novel chiimeritope that mimics various surface proteins essential for Ehrlichia infection that can be utilized to vaccinate humans against infection.

The novel chimeric protein developed at VCU utilizes segments of 3 separate proteins that play central roles in the processes of ehrlichial adherence and invasion of mammalian cells. The combination of 3 protein segments significantly reduces the production cost of this vaccine while also providing broad protective efficacy. Further, the selected chiimeritope invokes an immune response capable of preventing host cell invasion and replication of Ehrlichia. The unique chimeric protein has already been shown to elicit an immune response that results in antibody production in animal hosts. The resulting antibody has also been demonstrated to be effective in blocking the ability of Ehrlichia to enter mammalian cells, strongly reducing Ehrlichia infection, which can be seen in the figure below.