title: Canine ehrlichiosis: prevalence and epidemiology in northeast Brazil.
abstract: Ehrlichiosis is a zoonotic disease that is caused by bacteria of the genus Ehrlichia. The aims of this study were to detect the presence of Ehrlichia spp. in the blood of dogs in Ituberá, Bahia, and to compare the sensitivities and specificities of blood smear, serological, and molecular examinations. Furthermore, this study identified factors associated with exposure to the agent in dogs in this locality. Blood samples were collected from 379 dogs and submitted for indirect immunofluorescent assay and polymerase chain reaction testing for the detection of Ehrlichia spp. antibodies and DNA, respectively. Additionally, a peripheral blood smear was obtained from the ear tip for parasite identification. Of the 379 animals, 12.4%, 32.7%, and 25.6% were identified as positive on the blood smear, serological, and molecular tests, respectively. The dogs positive in one of the three techniques were considered exposed (46.9%). Younger dogs and rural habitat were protective factors and presence of ticks and contact with other dogs were the risk factors associated with exposure to the agent. It was concluded that dogs of Ituberá have high positivity for Ehrlichia spp. and that the diagnostic methods used for detection are complementary.
authors.affiliation: Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciência Animal, Hospital Veterinário, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Ilhéus, BA, Brasil.
authors.forename: Paula Elisa Brandão
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Guedes
authors.affiliation: Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciência Animal, Hospital Veterinário, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Ilhéus, BA, Brasil.
authors.forename: Thais Nascimento de Andrade
authors.initials: TN
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.affiliation: Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Ilhéus, BA, Brasil.
authors.forename: Fábio Santos
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Carvalho
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Ciências Agrárias e Ambientais, Hospital Veterinário, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Ilhéus, BA, Brasil.
authors.forename: Renata Santiago Alberto
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Carlos
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Ciências Agrárias e Ambientais, Hospital Veterinário, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Ilhéus, BA, Brasil.
authors.forename: George Rego
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Albuquerque
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Ciências Agrárias e Ambientais, Hospital Veterinário, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Ilhéus, BA, Brasil.
authors.forename: Alexandre Dias
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Munhoz
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Ciências Agrárias e Ambientais, Hospital Veterinário, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Ilhéus, BA, Brasil.
authors.forename: Amauri Arias
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Wenceslau
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Ciências Agrárias e Ambientais, Hospital Veterinário, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Ilhéus, BA, Brasil.
authors.forename: Fabiana Lessa
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Silva
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D004285:Dogs; D004536:Ehrlichia / Q000276:immunology; D016873:Ehrlichiosis / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial