Prevalence of canine monocitic ehrlichiosis and canine thrombocytic anaplasmosis in dogs suspected of hemoparasitosis in Cuiaba Mato Grosso

The present study evaluated Canine Monocytic Ehrlichiosis and Canine Thrombocytic Anaplasmosis in 77 dogs treated at the Veterinary Hospital (HOVET) of the Federal University of Mato Grosso (UFMT) in 2009. An association among clinical and hematological, serological and molecular data was investigated. Dogs were evaluated by partial amplification of dsb and 16S rRNA of Ehrlichia canis and Anaplasma platys and by Indirect Fluorescence Antigen Test (IFAT) for E. canis. DNA of E. canis and A. platys were detected in 18 (23.3%) and 07 (9.1%) dogs respectively. Fifty four (70.1%) dogs were positive by IFAT with titers ranging from 40 to 327,680. There were higher frequencies of E. canis positive PCR in dogs less than 12 months old, with anemia, lymphopenia and thrombocytopenia (P <= 0.05). Leukopenic dogs presented tendency to be A. platys PCR positive (P=0.07). Thrombocytopenia and hyperproteinemia of dogs were associated with high anti-E. canis antibody titers (P <= 0.05). Lymphadenopathy and pulmonary changes were observed in 15 (30.6%) and 4 (57.1%) E. canis PCR positive dogs (P <= 0.05). No other clinical features were associated between E. canis and A. platys infected dogs. E. canis was the only specie of Ehrlichia detected in dogs attended at the HOVET with a higher infection rate in young dogs, and statistically associated with anemic and thrombocytopenic dogs. On the other side, A. platys presented low occurrence among evaluated dogs.