Canine ehrlichiosis in Egypt: sero-epidemiological survey.
A total of 374 dogs, 252 from five military kennels and 122 privately owned, were tested for Ehrlichia canis antibody. Sera were tested at a 1:20 dilution by indirect fluorescent antibody with the use of E. canis cell-culture antigen slides. The overall prevalence of E. canis antibody was 33%. Antibody prevalence among military dogs (29%) was significantly lower than among privately owned dogs (41%; P < 0.05). The E. canis seroprevalence among dogs infested with ticks (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) was higher (44%) than that among uninfested dogs (31%; P = 0.08). The seroprevalence among military dogs varied from 21-46% at the five kennels; lower prevalences were observed in kennels with higher sanitary and hygienic conditions. Age- and sex-related E. canis antibody prevalences were not significantly different among military and privately owned dogs, although adult and male privately owned dogs had the highest seroprevalences (45% and 44%, respectively). Three dogs with epistaxis had E. canis antibody titres > 1:320. These data demonstrate the first laboratory evidence of E. canis infection among dogs in Egypt.
Botros
B A
BA
US Naval Medical Research Unit No. 3, Cairo, Egypt.
Elmolla
M S
MS
Salib
A W
AW
Calamaio
C A
CA
Dasch
G A
GA
Arthur
R R
RR
D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004285:Dogs; D004534:Egypt / Q000453:epidemiology; D004536:Ehrlichia / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016873:Ehrlichiosis / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D004844:Epistaxis / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies