title: Serum DHEA-S increases in dogs naturally infected with Ehrlichia canis.
abstract: Adrenocortical disturbances are expected in canine ehrlichiosis due to the immunological challenges caused by infection and consequent inflammation. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the occurrence of adrenocortical hormonal alterations in dogs naturally infected with Ehrlichia canis (n = 21) as positively confirmed by the presence of anti-E. canis antibodies (Dot-ELISA) and nested PCR (nPCR). Serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) concentrations were assessed via ELISA before and one hour after ACTH stimulation. Another 10 healthy dogs were subjected to the same stimulation protocol and used as controls. The results revealed that baseline and post-ACTH DHEA-S concentrations were significantly greater in sick dogs, regardless of gender, and this finding illustrates the stress induced by naturally acquired ehrlichiosis in dogs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Clinic and Surgery, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Via de Acesso Prof. Paulo Donato Castellane, Jaboticabal, SP 14884-900, Brazil. Electronic address: marianarondelli@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: M C H
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Rondelli
authors.affiliation: Centro Universitário Barão de Mauá, Ramos de Azevedo Street 423, Jardim Paulista, Ribeirão Preto, SP 14031-580, Brazil.
authors.forename: T D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Munhoz
authors.affiliation: Autonomous Veterinarian, Joá Street, 45, Catanduva, SP 15800-190, Brazil.
authors.forename: P B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Catandi
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Via de Acesso Prof. Paulo Donato Castellane, Jaboticabal, SP 14884-900, Brazil.
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Freschi
authors.affiliation: Autonomous Veterinarian, Euclides Avenue, 447, São Paulo, SP 04326-080, Brazil.
authors.forename: R J G
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Palacios Junior
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Via de Acesso Prof. Paulo Donato Castellane, Jaboticabal, SP 14884-900, Brazil.
authors.forename: R Z
authors.initials: RZ
authors.lastname: Machado
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Clinic and Surgery, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Via de Acesso Prof. Paulo Donato Castellane, Jaboticabal, SP 14884-900, Brazil.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tinucci-Costa
mesh_terms: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000818:Animals; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate / Q000097:blood*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology*; D004285:Dogs; D041061:Ehrlichia canis / Q000502:physiology*; D016873:Ehrlichiosis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000662:veterinary
chemical_list: D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone
keywords: Adrenal; DHEA-S; Dogs; Ehrlichia canis; Stress