학술논문

Ehrlichia canis and Rickettsia spp. in dogs from urban areas in Paraiba state, northeastern Brazil
Document Type
article
Source
Revista Brasileira de Parasitologia Veterinária. June 2017 26(2)
Subject
Ehrlichia spp.
Rickettsia spp.
IFAT
PCR
Brazil
Language
English
ISSN
1984-2961
Abstract
The aims of our study was to identify Ehrlichia canis and antibodies against Rickettsia spp. belonging to the spotted fever group (SFG) in dogs sampled from Paraiba state, northeastern Brazil. Blood and serum samples collected by convenience from dogs in urban areas of five municipalities were analyzed by real-time PCR for the detection of E. canis DNA and by immunofluorescence assay test (IFAT) for the identification of antibodies against Rickettsia rickettsii, R. felis, R. parkeri, R. amblyommii and R. rhipicephali antigens. E. canis DNA was detected in 8.9% (64/719) of the blood samples, whereas 5.63% (43/763) of the serum samples were positive for at least one of the Rickettsia antigens tested by IFAT. This study showed for the first time the occurrence of E. canis and suggested the circulation of SFG Rickettsia in dogs in the study region of Paraiba state, northeastern Brazil.