title: The relationship between the degree of thrombocytopenia and infection with Ehrlichia canis in an endemic area.
abstract: Ehrlichia canis is the causative agent of canine monocytic ehrlichiosis. In order to evaluate platelet counts as a screening test for E. canis in an endemic area, 217 whole blood samples from dogs were divided into three groups: 71 non-thrombocytopenic samples (group A, platelet counts greater than 200 000/mL) and 146 thrombocytopenic samples (less than 200 000/mL). The thrombocytopenic group was further divided into 62 with platelet counts between 100 000-200 000/mL (Group B) and 84 samples with less than 100 000 platelets/mL (Group C). All samples were examined for the presence of a segment of the Ehrlichia canis 16S rRNA gene using a nested polymerase chain reaction. Sixty-seven of the 217 samples (30.9%) were positive for the presence of the E. canis 16S rRNA gene; 53 (63.1%) of the group C samples and 13 (21%) of group B. Only one (1.4%) of the non-thrombocytopenic samples (Group A) was positive. These data support the concept that platelet counts may be a good screening test for canine monocytic ehrlichiosis, and that the magnitude of thrombocytopenia may increase the reliability of diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Pathology Laboratory, Departamento de Clínica Veterinária, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Botucatu, Brazil. cbulla@fmvz.unesp.br
authors.forename: Camilo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bulla
authors.forename: Regina
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kiomi Takahira
authors.forename: João
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pessoa Araújo
authors.forename: Luzia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: AparecidaTrinca
authors.forename: Raimundo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Souza Lopes
authors.forename: Charles Edward
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Wiedmeyer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D004285:Dogs; D041061:Ehrlichia canis / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016873:Ehrlichiosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D010976:Platelet Count / Q000662:veterinary; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*
chemical_list: D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S