Clinical relevance of annual screening using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (SNAP 3Dx) for canine ehrlichiosis.
Eighty-six dogs were selected based upon Ehrlichia (E.) canis SNAP 3Dx positive results to determine clinical relevance of annual E. canis screening. Immunofluorescence assay showed 72 (84%) of 86 dogs were seroreactive for E. canis. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) revealed that 12 (14%) of 86 dogs had Ehrlichia deoxyribonucleic acid; seven had E. canis, four had E. ewingii, and one was coinfected with E. chaffeensis and E. ewingii. Thrombocytopenia (<164,000 platelets/microL) was found in 28 (39%) of 72 dogs. In this study, thrombocytopenia was frequently detected in healthy Ehrlichia SNAP 3Dx-positive dogs, whereas active infection was infrequently confirmed by PCR. Therefore, treatment based upon screening results alone is not recommended.
Hegarty
Barbara C
BC
Intracellular Pathogens Research Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, 4700 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, North Carolina 27606, USA.
de Paiva Diniz
Pedro Paulo Vissotto
PP
Bradley
Julie M
JM
Lorentzen
Leif
L
Breitschwerdt
Edward
E
D000818:Animals; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards / Q000662:veterinary; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004285:Dogs; D004536:Ehrlichia / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016873:Ehrlichiosis / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000592:standards / Q000662:veterinary*; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique / Q000592:standards / Q000662:veterinary*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000592:standards / Q000662:veterinary*; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000097:blood; D014481:United States