Canine monocytic ehrlichiosis presenting as acute blindness 36 months after importation into the UK.
A four-year-old Labrador retriever developed sudden-onset blindness, associated with bilateral uveitis, intraocular haemorrhage and retinal detachment. It had been imported into the UK from Sardinia 36 months before presentation. Haematological abnormalities included non-regenerative anaemia, thrombocytopenia and neutropenia. Serum and urine protein electrophoresis demonstrated a monoclonal gammopathy. An immunofluorescent antibody test for Ehrlichia canis was positive, with a titre of 1:320, confirming a diagnosis of chronic monocytic ehrlichiosis. This case highlights how the prolonged subclinical phase of monocytic ehrlichiosis could enable infected dogs to enter the UK without signs of disease. Chronic monocytic ehrlichiosis should be considered in dogs which have been imported from E canis-endemic countries and present with bleeding disorders and gammopathy, even if signs develop many years after importation.
Gould
D J
DJ
Department of Clinical Veterinary Science, University of Bristol, Langford, North Somerset.
Murphy
K
K
Rudorf
H
H
Crispin
S M
SM
D000208:Acute Disease; D000818:Animals; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood; D001766:Blindness / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D001797:Blood Protein Electrophoresis / Q000662:veterinary; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D004285:Dogs; D004536:Ehrlichia / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016873:Ehrlichiosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D005130:Eye Hemorrhage / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary; D015818:Eye Infections, Bacterial / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D010265:Paraproteinemias / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D012163:Retinal Detachment / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary; D014195:Travel; D014463:Ultrasonography; D006113:United Kingdom; D014605:Uveitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial