Ehrlichiosis in Brazil

Abstract

<jats:p>Ehrlichiosis is a disease caused by rickettsial organisms belonging to the genus Ehrlichia. In Brazil, molecular and serological studies have evaluated the occurrence of Ehrlichia species in dogs, cats, wild animals and humans. Ehrlichia canis is the main species found in dogs in Brazil, although E. ewingii infection has been recently suspected in five dogs. Ehrlichia chaffeensis DNA has been detected and characterized in mash deer, whereas E. muris and E. ruminantium have not yet been identified in Brazil. Canine monocytic ehrlichiosis caused by E. canis appears to be highly endemic in several regions of Brazil, however prevalence data are not available for several regions. Ehrlichia canis DNA also has been detected and molecularly characterized in three domestic cats, and antibodies against E. canis were detected in free-ranging Neotropical felids. There is serological evidence suggesting the occurrence of human ehrlichiosis in Brazil but its etiologic agent has not yet been established. Improved molecular diagnostic resources for laboratory testing will allow better identification and characterization of ehrlichial organisms associated with human ehrlichiosis in Brazil.</jats:p>

Genetic diversity of Ehrlichia canisstrains from naturally infected dogs in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

“…This implies the onset of clinical signs and hematological findings such as apathy, weight loss, fever, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, anemia, leukopenia or leukocytosis (WOODY;HOSKINS, 1991, NEER 1998VIEIRA et al, 2011). This did not happen in this case, given that this animal was brought back to the clinic for reinforcement every 21 days after the first vaccine dose (at the age of 45 days).…”

Hematological values associated to the serological and molecular diagnostic in cats suspected of Ehrlichia canisinfection

“…Ehrlichiosis, which is caused by Ehrlichia canis, has been recognized as an important worldwide infectious disease, especially in dogs (VIEIRA et al, 2011). Symptoms suggestive of ehrlichiosis infection have also been reported in domestic cats in several countries.…”

Molecular detection of Ehrlichia canisin dogs from the Pantanal of Mato Grosso State, Brazil

“…In Brazil, Ehrlichia canis is the agent of canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (CME), a canine disease of nearly worldwide distribution, transmitted by the tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus (HARRUS;WANER, 2011;VIEIRA et al, 2011). In North America, dogs can also be infected by Ehrlichia chaffeensis and Ehrlichia ewingii, which are important agents of zoonoses vectored by Amblyomma ticks in that continent WALKER, 2010).…”