title: Direct detection of Ehrlichia canis by PCR in the conjunctiva of a dog with bilateral anterior uveitis.
abstract: The following report describes the direct detection of Ehrlichia canis by real-time PCR in the conjunctiva of a 1-year-old female Maltese dog. After being imported from Brazil, the dog was presented because of anorexia, dehydration, fever, and palpable mandibular lymph nodes. A few days later, the dog developed bilateral blepharospasm, photophobia and anterior uveitis. Monocytic ehrlichia was diagnosed by a positive PCR result and the detection of IgM and IgG antibodies. Because of the massive uveitis a conjunctival sample was taken with a cytobrush, which also tested positive for Ehrlichia canis DNA by real-time PCR. Only one week after starting treatment with systemic doxycycline and local anti-inflammatory and cyclopalgic therapy the dog recovered from systemic and eye diseases. After therapy the follow-up examination revealed a full remission of clinical and hematological parameters and negative PCR result.
authors.affiliation: Equine Department, Section of Ophathalmology, University of Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Walser-Reinhard
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Schaarschmidt-Kiener
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Forster
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Matheis
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Spiess
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000097:blood; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D004285:Dogs; D041061:Ehrlichia canis / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D016873:Ehrlichiosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D009887:Ophthalmoscopy / Q000662:veterinary; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000662:veterinary*; D014065:Tonometry, Ocular / Q000662:veterinary; D014606:Uveitis, Anterior / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*
chemical_list: D004269:DNA, Bacterial