Transboundary Emerging and Exotic Animal Disease/ Exotic Animal Disease Practice Exam

Which cell type does Ehrlichia ruminantium primarily infect?

1. Leukocytes

2. Endothelial cells

3. Red blood cells

4. Gastrointestinal epithelial cells

The correct answer is: Endothelial cells

Ehrlichia ruminantium primarily infects endothelial cells, particularly those associated with blood vessels. This obligate intracellular bacterium causes a disease known as heartwater, primarily affecting ruminants such as cattle and sheep. The infection leads to the replication of the bacterium within the endothelial cells, ultimately causing vascular damage and contributing to the clinical symptoms of heartwater disease, which can include fever, neurological signs, and other systemic effects. The choice of endothelial cells as the answer reflects the specific interaction between the pathogen and the host's vascular system, which is critical for understanding how the disease manifests and progresses. This insight is also essential for developing targeted treatments and prevention strategies related to the disease.