Ehrlichia canis
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EHRLICHIOSIS |
Ehrlichiosis is a tick-borne disease caused by parasites of the genus Ehrlichia which infect white blood cells. Dogs may be infected by several Ehrlichia spp. but the most common one causing canine ehrlichiosis is Ehrlichia canis which infects monocytes and is endemic in many tropical and sub-tropical areas including southern Europe and the Mediterranean. Ehrlichiosis is not known to be zoonotic and the severity of the disease will depend on the immune status of the dog in addition to its age and breed and any concurrent infections (e.g. babesiosis). There are three main stages of canine monocytic ehrlichiosis - acute, sub-clinical and chronic. Dogs usually recover spontaneously from the acute phase characterised by fever, lymphadenopathy and muscle stiffness and enter the sub-clinical phase. In immunocompetent dogs, the parasite will be eliminated during this phase or alternatively the dog will develop a chronic infection with hypoplastic bone marrow, severe weight loss, haemorrhages, lymphocytic/plasmocytic infiltration of various organs. Prevention is by tick control using appropriate ectoparasiticides and disease is treated with appropriate antibiotics.
Ehrlichia canis testing at TEST-A-PET
Antibody Test
This test detects specific IgG antibodies to Ehrlichia canis. Results are reported as positive or negative with reference to the test control.
Sample required: 0.5ml serum.
Results are available within one working day of us receiving the sample.
Parasite Detection
Demonstration of parasites in white blood cells from smears or tissue aspirates distinguish dogs which have developed persistent ehrlichiosis following treatment and those which have been successfully treated but which remain antibody positive.
Sample required: 0.5ml whole blood (EDTA) from a peripheral capillary / fresh (un-fixed) smears.
Results are available within one working day of us receiving the sample.
Links
For details on submitting samples for Ehrlichia canis testing, please click here.
For further advice on diagnosis and treatment, please click here.
For further reading on canine ehrlichiosis, please click here.
For maps showing the distribution of the major vector-borne parasitic infections of dogs and cats in Europe including Ehrlichia canis, please click here.
