Intracellular vector-borne pathogens that cause human ehrlichiosis, an emerging infectious disease.
Unlike members of the Rickettsiaceae family, capable of making all major vitamins, cofactors, and nucleotides, which could confer a beneficial role in the invertebrate vector or the vertebrate host.
Replicates in membrane-bound compartments inside host monocytes/macrophages.
Depends on hematophagous ticks as vectors and wild mammals as reservoir hosts.
Causes Human monocytic ehrlichiosis (HME).
