Molecular prevalence and factors associated with Ehrlichia canis infection in dogs from the North Pantanal wetland, Brazil

Research (Published online: 05-06-2023)

4. Molecular prevalence and factors associated with Ehrlichia canis infection in dogs from the North Pantanal wetland, Brazil

Mariana Elisa Pereira, Darlan Henrique Canei, Matheus Roberto Carvalho, Álvaro Felipe de Lima Ruy Dias, Arleana do Bom Parto Ferreira de Almeida, Luciano Nakazato, and Valéria Régia Franco Sousa

Veterinary World, 16(6): 1209-1213

Mariana Elisa Pereira: Postgraduate Program in Veterinary Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Avenue Fernando Correa da Costa, Boa Esperança, Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brazil.

Darlan Henrique Canei: Postgraduate Program in Veterinary Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Avenue Fernando Correa da Costa, Boa Esperança, Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brazil.

Matheus Roberto Carvalho: Postgraduate Program in Veterinary Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Avenue Fernando Correa da Costa, Boa Esperança, Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brazil.

Álvaro Felipe de Lima Ruy Dias: Postgraduate Program in Veterinary Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Avenue Fernando Correa da Costa, Boa Esperança, Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brazil.

Arleana do Bom Parto Ferreira de Almeida: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Avenue Fernando Correa da Costa, Boa Esperança, Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brazil.

Luciano Nakazato: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Avenue Fernando Correa da Costa, Boa Esperança, Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brazil.

Valéria Régia Franco Sousa: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Avenue Fernando Correa da Costa, Boa Esperança, Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brazil.

doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2023.1209-1213

Article history: Received: 31-01-2023, Accepted: 09-05-2023, Published online: 05-06-2023

Corresponding author: Valéria Régia Franco Sousa

E-mail: valeriaregia27@gmail.com

Citation: Pereira ME, Canei DH, Carvalho MR, Dias AFLR, Almeida ABPF, Nakazato L, and Sousa VRF (2023) Molecular prevalence and factors associated with Ehrlichia canis infection in dogs from the North Pantanal wetland, Brazil, Veterinary World, 16(6): 1209-1213.

Abstract

Background and Aim: Canine monocytic ehrlichiosis is a vector-borne disease caused by the obligatory intracellular bacterium Ehrlichia canis, which is distributed across tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. Its prevalence within dog populations is high in municipalities located across the Pantanal biome, but it remains unknown in Barão de Melgaço, Mato Grosso, Brazil. This study aimed to determine the molecular prevalence and factors associated with E. canis infection in dogs domiciled in Barão de Melgaço.

Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out to investigate the prevalence of E. canis infection in 369 dogs from urban and rural areas in Barão de Melgaço, North Pantanal wetland, Brazil. Initially, the dogs were examined, and, through a questionnaire, the risk factors were investigated. Blood samples were subjected to DNA extraction and PCR was performed to estimate the prevalence of E. canis infection.

Results: The molecular prevalence of E. canis infection in dogs was 42.5% and none of the studied variables were significantly associated with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) positivity (p > 0.05).

Conclusion: The high molecular prevalence demonstrates an increased transmission of the agent across the city. This also indicates that attention needs to be paid to E. canis infection and control measures should be introduced to prevent its transmission. The demographic and clinical risk factors commonly associated with E. canis infection in this study were not associated with PCR positivity.

Keywords: bacterium, DNA, dog, ehrlichiosis, Pantanal.