Seroprevalence and risk factors associated with Ehrlichia canis in a hospital canine population

Abstract

Ehrlichia canis (E canis) is the principal cause of canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (CME) and the only Ehrlichia spp that has been identified in the dogs of Europe. 1 Clinical recovery is the expected outcome of acutely infected dogs entering the subclinical phase, which could last several months to years; however, an unpredictable proportion of dogs will eventually develop the chronic phase, typically characterized by aplastic pancytopenia and a high mortality. 2 Fever, depression, anorexia, lymphadenomegaly, splenomegaly, mucosal pallor, ocular abnormalities, bleeding tendencies, and thrombocytopenia or bi-pancytopenia are common clinical and hematologic findings in CME. 1,2 The indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) test and several in-clinic assays have enabled the comprehensive evaluation of exposure to E canis in dogs living in or traveling across endemic areas. 3 Several Abstract Background: Ehrlichia canis (E canis) infection has been documented in a few small canine case series in Greece. However, there is limited information on the prevalence of exposure to, or the potential risk factors associated with E canis seroreactivity in a large native canine population. Objectives:The objectives of this study were to evaluate E canis seroprevalence in dogs admitted to a veterinary teaching hospital, and to investigate the potential association between seropositivity and signalment, health status, the serologic assays used, and selected clinical and clinicopathologic abnormalities. Methods:The medical records of 850 client-owned dogs, tested using three in-office serologic assays, were retrospectively reviewed. Results:The E canis seroprevalence was significantly higher in sick (54.9%) compared with healthy (33.9%) dogs. Seropositivity differed significantly between the serologic assays used in this study (ImmunoComb vs SNAP 3Dx/SNAP 4Dx). Dogs presenting with bleeding tendencies, anemia, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, pancytopenia, and hyperproteinemia were more likely to be E canis seropositive, and the median hematocrit (HCT), white blood cell (WBC), neutrophil, and platelet values were significantly lower in seropositive compared with seronegative dogs. Conclusions:A high E canis seroprevalence was documented in a canine population living in an endemic area. Selected clinicopathologic variables might be useful indicators of E canis exposure and could allow the prioritization of serologic testing in the clinical setting. K E Y W O R D Sdog, monocytic ehrlichiosis, serology

Haematological Alterations Associated with Selected Vector-Borne Infections and Exposure in Dogs from Pereira, Risaralda, Colombia

“…A study with 73 dogs in Thailand found that the frequency of hematocrit values <15% was significantly higher in those infected with E. canis (31%) compared to those without infection (5.9%) ( p < 0.05) [ 38 ]. However, none of these studies detailed the differences in thrombocytopenia or other parameters by sex of the dogs [ 32 , 37 ], and we found in the present study that thrombocytopenia was significantly higher among infected male dogs (75%) than in non-infected males (20%).…”

“…Another study in Greece, retrospective, assessing medical records of 850 client-owned dogs, found that thrombocytopenia was significantly higher (66%) among those with positive anti- E. canis IgG antibodies, compared to those negative (38%) ( p < 0.0001) [ 32 ]. In addition, anaemia and pancytopenia (57% and 8%) were significantly higher among those infected than in those free of the pathogen (36% and 3%, respectively) ( p < 0.01).…”

OZONIOTERAPIA NO TRATAMENTO DE INSUFICIÊNCIA RENAL GRAU III E ASSOCIAÇÕES INTEGRATIVAS- Relato de Caso

“…Essa incidência também pode variar em relação ao sexo do animal, como descrito em outros estudos, já que esses animais costumam ter o hábito de serem semidomiciliados e aumenta-se o risco de se tornarem infectados (ZUCHI et al, 2020;COSTA JR et al, 2007). (1,2429 -2,8534) Tabela 1: Fatores de riscos associados com a soropositividade por Erlichia canis no município de Floriano-PI Apesar de ser observado em diferentes estudos que a idade adulta e a raça dos cães estão relacionadas como fatores de risco para erliquiose canina, como observado por Piantedosi et al (2019) e Chochlios et al (2019), no presente estudo não foi observado nenhum desses fatores como um fator de risco (Tabela 1). Sugere-se que foram observados esses resultados devido a reduzida taxa de animais semidomiciliados no estudo.…”

Uso Da Citopatologia Para O Diagnóstico De Tumores De Pele Em Animais Domésticos

“…Essa incidência também pode variar em relação ao sexo do animal, como descrito em outros estudos, já que esses animais costumam ter o hábito de serem semidomiciliados e aumenta-se o risco de se tornarem infectados (ZUCHI et al, 2020;COSTA JR et al, 2007). Apesar de ser observado em diferentes estudos que a idade adulta e a raça dos cães estão relacionadas como fatores de risco para erliquiose canina, como observado por Piantedosi et al (2019) e Chochlios et al (2019), no presente estudo não foi observado nenhum desses fatores como um fator de risco (Tabela 1). Sugere-se que foram observados esses resultados devido a reduzida taxa de animais semidomiciliados no estudo.…”