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.
Unknown trematodes are suspected to be the vector and reservoir.
Causes sennetsu ehrlichiosis, an infectious mononucleosis-like disease with fever, fatigue, general malaise, and lymphadenopathy.
Isolated in 1953 in Japan.
