Ehrlichia canis in dogs in a semiarid region of Northeastern Brazil: Serology, molecular detection and associated factors

• Published in: Research in veterinary science 2013-06, Vol.94 (3), p.474-477
• Main Authors: Tanikawa, A., Labruna, M.B., Costa, A., Aguiar, D.M., Justiniano, S.V., Mendes, R.S., Melo, A.L.T., Alves, C.J., Azevedo, S.S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Brazil - epidemiology; Canis; cleaning; disease detection; Dog Diseases - blood; Dog Diseases - diagnosis; Dog Diseases - epidemiology; Dog Diseases - microbiology; Dogs; Ehrlichia canis; Ehrlichiosis - blood; Ehrlichiosis - diagnosis; Ehrlichiosis - epidemiology; Ehrlichiosis - veterinary; Female; fluorescent antibody technique; Male; Microbiology; monocytes; Monocytes - microbiology; Northeastern Brazil; PCR; quantitative polymerase chain reaction; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction - veterinary; Risk Factors; semiarid zones; Serologic Tests - veterinary; Serology; seroprevalence; Variables; Veterinary medicine
• ISSN: 0034-5288; 1532-2661
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2012.10.007

This study investigated infection by Ehrlichia spp. agents by PCR, immunofluorescence assay test (IFAT), and by Giemsa-stained blood smears in 108 dogs from a semiarid region of the state of Paraíba, Northeastern Brazil. Seventy-five (69.4%) of the 108 dogs were found to be seropositive to Ehrlichia canis, while only four dogs (3.7%) were positive in real-time PCR for E. canis. In six dogs (5.6%) E. canis-like morulae were observed in monocytes. Animals that stayed in environment whose floor was dried dirt, and dogs whose owners reported low frequency of cleaning the dog environment had higher (P