Canine monocytic ehrlichiosis: a retrospective study of 100 cases, and an epidemiological investigation of prognostic indicators for the disease

Abstract

One hundred cases of monocytic ehrlichiosis diagnosed in Israeli dogs were confirmed by the presence of anti-Ehrlichia canis indirect immunofluorescent antibody titres greater than 1:40. The disease occurred in all age groups and there was no sex predilection. German shepherd dogs were significantly over-represented whereas crossbreed dogs were significantly under-represented (P > 0.0005). The most common clinical signs were depression, lethargy, lymphadenomegaly, fever, anorexia, panting, pale mucous membranes and bleeding, of which epistaxis was most common. Thrombocytopenia, anaemia (mainly normocytic normochromic) and lymphopenia were the predominant haematological findings. Forty-nine of the 100 cases were followed up for a year. Thirty-two dogs survived and 17 died. A Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to examine the effect of host, environmental, and haematological prognostic factors on survival. It was concluded that severe anaemia, severe leucopenia, pancytopenia, a tendency to bleed (especially epistaxis) and being a German shepherd dog were important indicators of poor survival in cases of monocytic ehrlichiosis in dogs.

Retrospective Analysis of Canine Vector-borne Diseases (CVBD) in Germany with Emphasis on the Endemicity and Risk Factors of Leishmaniosis

“…In contrast Sainz et al (1996), Harrus et al (1997) and Hernandez et al (2004) could not find any sex predilection. Harrus et al (1997) observed a season predilection for ehrlichiosis between May and October. In our study the majority of the dogs had antibodies against Ehrlichia in autumn, presumably associated with the seasonal activity of the vector (Rhipicephalus sanguineus).…”

“…The difference in hormone level and inherent immune response could be the reason for the gender susceptibility (Klein 2004). In contrast Sainz et al (1996), Harrus et al (1997) and Hernandez et al (2004) could not find any sex predilection. Harrus et al (1997) observed a season predilection for ehrlichiosis between May and October.…”

Soroprevalência de anticorpos anti-Ehrlichia canis em cães de Cuiabá, Mato Grosso

“…ISSN 0103-846X (impresso) / ISSN 1984-2961 O diagnóstico da erliquiose é baseado na combinação dos sinais clínicos, anormalidades hematológicas, achados citológicos e sorológicos, sendo mais recentemente a reação em cadeia da polimerase incorporada ao plano diagnóstico (NEER; HARRUS, 2006). A observação microscópica de esfregaços sanguíneos submetidos à coloração do tipo Romanowsky é simples, barata e fornece um registro permanente (FRITZ, 2009); no entanto a sua sensibilidade é baixa, em torno de 4 a 5% dos casos na fase aguda (HARRUS et al, 1997;MENESES et al, 2008).…”

“…Dentre os testes sorológicos, a Imunofluorescência Indireta é utilizada no diagnóstico da erliquiose, sendo aplicável tanto para estudos de infecções experimentais quanto epidemiológicos. Os antígenos utilizados são procedentes do cultivo de células infectadas com E. canis, havendo detecção de anticorpos precoces em até sete dias pós-infecção, embora a maioria dos cães se tornam soropositivos após 28 dias da infecção (HARRUS et al, 1997).…”

Estudio Retrospectivo De Caso-Control De Ehrlichiosis Canina en La Facultad De Medicina Veterinaria De La Universidad Nacional Mayor De San Marcos: Periodo 2002-2005

“…Algunos estudios de ehrlichiosis canina han demostrado una mayor susceptibilidad del perro Pastor Alemán a esta enfermedad en comparación con otras razas (Harrus et al, 1997;Leiva et al, 2005).…”