Detection and laboratory findings due to ehrlichia canis in dogs from the south area of São Paulo – SP, Brazil

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate hematological changes in dogs diagnosed with Ehrlichia canis. METHODS: 54 dogs treated at the Veterinary Hospital of the Santo Amaro University were analyzed. During the consultation, the animals' real temperature was measured; and venous blood samples were collected for hemogram; and performed serological and molecular tests, through Immunofluorescence and PCR in real time, respectively. RESULTS: Among the 54 animals suspected of having E. canis, 32 (59.3%) were diagnosed as positive. Of these, 23 (42.6%) were positive only in the serological test, while 9 (16.7%) had positive results in the serological and molecular tests. Thrombocytopenia was the most important alteration found in this study and was the only parameter found in the blood count that showed a statistical difference. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that thrombocytopenia was the main finding in infected animals and that the combination of molecular and serological diagnoses may increase the chances of detection of infection or exposure to the agent.