Roman Reddy Ganta

Assistant Professor of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology

Evaluation of surface antigen genes of Ehrlichia chaffeensis and Ehrlichia canis and host immune response against the pathogens using experimental animal model systems.

B.Sc. 1978, Andhra University, India

M.Sc. 1980, Andhra University, India

Ph.D. 1987, All India Institute of Medical Science

Phone: 785-532-4612

Fax: 785-532-4851

Email: rganta@ksu.edu

Office: 336 Coles Hall

Molecular evaluation of vector-borne pathogen infections: Our research is focused on characterizing vector-borne pathogens, particularly tick-transmitted rickettsial disease agents Ehrlichia chaffeensis and Ehrlichia canis. We use the tools of molecular biology, immunology, animal models and cell culture systems. E. chaffeensis is the agent causing human monocytic ehrlichiosis (HME). It also infects dogs, white-tailed deer, goats and coyotes. E. canis is primarily responsible for the canine monocytic ehrlichiosis. It is endemic throughout the world, except Australia. These closely related pathogens remain in both arthropod and vertebrate hosts for long periods of time. This strategy may aid them in their parasitic lifestyle. Determining the molecular basis for persistence by these rickettsials of the genus Ehrlichia will be important in order to accomplish our long range goals of developing effective control methods against these tick-borne pathogens. Thus, our research is focused on understanding the pathogen evasion mechanisms. Specifically, we study to define the protective host-immune response needed to eliminate the infection. We also study to define how these rickettsiales evade host responses in both vertebrate and tick hosts in order to support their life cycle. We also have ongoing projects to develop vaccines and molecular tests for the simultaneous detection of single or co-infections with several Ehrlichia species in vertebrate and tick hosts.

Selected Publications

Roman R. Ganta, M. Wilkerson, C. Cheng, A. Rokey, and S. K. Chapes. Persistent Ehrlichia chaffeensis .Infection Occurs in the Absence of Functional MHCII Genes. Infect Immun., 70, 380-388, (2002).

J.S. Li, E. Yager, M. Reilly, C. Freeman, R. R. Ganta, F. K. Chu, and G. Winslow. Outer membrane protein specific monoclonal antibodies protect SCID mice from fatal infection by the obligate intracellular bacterial pathogen Ehrlichia chaffeensis. J. Immunol. 166:1855-1862 (2001).

R. R. Ganta and C. P. Streck. Variability in the 28-kDa surface antigen protein multigene locus of isolates of the emerging disease agent Ehrlichia chaffeensis suggests that it plays a role in immune evasion. Mol. Cell Biol. Res. Commun. 1:167-175 (1999).

R. R. Ganta, C. R. Sulsona, A. F. Barbet, S. M. Mahan, M. J. Burridge and A. R. Alleman. Molecular characterization of a 28 kDa surface antigen gene family of the tribe Ehrlichiae. Biochem. Biophy. Res. Commun. 247:636-643 (1998).