BY: SAMANTHA BARTLETT, DVM

Kansas State University researchers at the College of Veterinary Medicines’ Center of Excellence for Vector Borne Diseases have successfully patented technology to develop vaccines against tick-borne Ehrlichia and Anaplasma. The team, led by Roman Ganta, focused its work on developing gene mutations in Ehrlichia species. 

Ehrlichia species bacteria are transmitted by ticks and lead to a disease state known as ehrlichiosis. Specifically, Ehrlichia chaffeensis causes serious illness associated with morbidity in people with compromised immunity such as the elderly and young children. Symptoms include fever, chills, muscle pain, rash, changes to mental state, gastrointestinal symptoms, liver damage, anemia and other combinations of symptoms. The fatality rate in humans is approximately 1%. 

The Kansas State team is the leader in developing the method to generate gene mutations in rickettsial bacteria of The Ehrlichia species. These gene mutations inactivate proteins in the bacteria rendering the unable to cause disease. These mutated bacteria are ideal for inducing immunity in a vaccine without cause infection. 

The method developed by the Kansas State University researchers is applicable to other pathogens transmitted by ticks that can cause diseases in humans, dogs and cattle. The team filed patents to cover inventions for developing vaccine candidate against bacterial pathogens belonging to both Ehrlichia and Anaplasma species. Prior to this discovery, the only options for controlling infections of Ehrlichia and Anaplasma species was antibiotic treatment for humans and dogs. The patents have prompted additional support from the National Institutes of Health for expanded research and development of vaccines on related pathogens.