Evidência sorológica e molecular de erliquiose canina no Município de Patos.

Abstract

Serological and molecular evidence of canine ehrlichiosis in the municipality of Patos. The ehrlichiosis is one of the most important infectious diseases in the canine medical clinic, the most common infection transmitted by ticks to dogs. This study aimed to evaluate, by serology and molecular techniques, the occurrence of canine ehrlichiosis in the city of Patos, Paraíba, Brazil, and compared the sensitivity and specificity. We analyzed 100 canine blood samples. The Immunofluorescence Assay (IFA) detected 65% positive animals, conventional Polymerase Chain Reaction for (cPCR) 84%, and real-time PCR (qPCR) 95%. Only one animal was negative in all three tests. Only one (1) sample was positive by IFAT and negative by PCR and qPCR. When the cPCR and qPCR techniques were compared to evaluate sensitivity and specificity, Kappa coeffiecients showed poor agreement justified by qPCR ability in detecting low amounts of DNA and the target gene has a larger number of copies. The association between IFT, cPCR and qPCR was possible to identify 51% infected animals with E. canis. Multivariate analysis of risk factors identified two variables: age (Odds Ratio = 1.6869 / 95% CI = 1.15 to 2.48 / p = 0.0079) and rearing environment (Odds Ratio = 2.2596 / 95% CI = 1.02 to 4.99 / p = 0.0437). The Ehrlichia canis has a high prevalence in the city of Patos-PB and compared to serology, cPCR and qPCR were effective in identifying acute and chronic cases.