Immunoreactive ehrlichia p120/p140 epitopes and uses thereof

Abstract

Provided herein are immunoreactive peptides which can selectively bind Ehrlichia -specific anti-p120 or anti-p140 antibodies. Methods and kits utilizing the immunoreactive peptides are also provided. The immunoreactive peptides may be utilized, e.g., for determining whether or not a subject is infected with Ehrlichia chaffeensis or Ehrlichia canis . In certain embodiments, the immunoreactive peptides may be utilized in an ELISA or lateral flow assay.

1 .- 27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . An isolated nucleic acid segment encoding a peptide 45 amino acids in length or less, wherein the peptide comprises SEQ ID NO:1 or SEQ ID NO:2, wherein the peptide selectively binds an antibody that recognizes and binds an  Ehrlichia  p120 or p140 protein, provided that if the encoded peptide comprises SEQ ID NO:2, the encoded peptide is 30 amino acids or less in length. 
     
     
         29 . A vector comprising a contiguous sequence consisting of the nucleic acid segment of  claim 28 . 
     
     
         30 . A host cell comprising the nucleic acid segment of  claim 28 . 
     
     
         31 .- 36 . (canceled) 
     
     
         37 . The isolated nucleic acid segment of  claims 28 , wherein the encoded peptide consists of SEQ ID NO:1 or SEQ ID NO:2. 
     
     
         38 . The isolated nucleic acid segment of  claim 37 , wherein the nucleic acid is immobilized on a surface of a support substrate. 
     
     
         39 . The isolated nucleic acid segment of  claim 38 , wherein said support substrate comprises latex, polystyrene, nylon, nitrocellulose, cellulose, silica, agarose, or magnetic resin. 
     
     
         40 . The isolated nucleic acid segment of  claim 38 , wherein the support substrate is a reaction chamber, a well, a membrane, a filter, a paper, an emulsion, a bead, a microbead, a dipstick, a card, a glass slide, a lateral flow apparatus, a microchip, a comb, a silica particle, a magnetic particle, a nanoparticle, or a self-assembling monolayer. 
     
     
         41 . The isolated nucleic acid segment of  claim 28 , wherein the segment is comprised in a kit. 
     
     
         42 . The isolated nucleic acid segment of  claim 28 , wherein the segment is comprised in a pharmaceutical preparation.