Infection with Ehrlichia canis and Anaplasma platys in bitches and puppies in the Cuiaba, Mato Grosso

Abstract

The dogs can be infected by different agents belonging to the Family Anaplasmataceae among the most commonly reported are Ehrlichia canis and Anaplasma platys, causing monocytic ehrlichiosis and canine infectious cyclic thrombocytopenia in dogs, respectively. The diagnosis can be made by detection of morulae in blood, serologically, by isolation, with the exception of A. platys and by molecular methods such as PCR. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of infection by E. canis and A. platys in dogs’ newborns and their mothers. During the period from June to December 2006 were clinically evaluated 21 healthy females and 40 puppies of their respective litters with five to 29 days old. For the assessment of infection by E. canis were held with the serologic test SNAP 3DX, observation of morulae in sanguine smear and nested PCR for A. platys and the nested PCR. Of the 61 animals evaluated, 36 (59%) were positive for E. canis and 16 (26.2%) for A. platys. Isolated infection by A. platys and co-infection with E. canis was observed in five (13.8%) and 11 (30.5%) dogs, respectively, with no statistically significant difference (p = 0.63). With the data obtained by the technique of nPCR was able to detect infection by E. canis and A. platys in puppies and their mothers, raising the possibility of transplacental transmission, however further studies should be perfomed to confirm this aspect, particularly in areas endemic for the disease.