PCR Based Diagnosis and Clinical Management of Ehrlichiosis in a Dog Sangeetha S.G., Post Graduate Scholar, Ajith Y.*, Ph. D. Scholar, Dixit S.K., Principal Scientist, Reena K.K.1, Ph. D. Scholar Division of Medicine, Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Bareilly-243122 (Uttar Pradesh) 1Division of Parasitology, Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Bareilly-243122 (Uttar Pradesh) *Corresponding author. E-mail: ajithy123456789@gmail.com
Online published on 20 November, 2017. Abstract The report depicts crucial diagnosis and successful clinical management of Ehrlichia canis infection in a dog. A fourteen months old Labrador retriever dog was presented with history of recurrent pyrexia, anorexia, vomiting and lethargy. Clinical examination revealed anaemia, pyrexia, tachycardia, tachypnea, hepatomegaly, lymphadenopathy and dehydration. Significant monocytopenia, microcytic hypochromic anaemia, immune mediated thrombocytopenia, elevated ALP and ALT activities, hyperglobulinemia, and hypoalbuminemia were evident in hemato-biochemical evaluation. Eventhough, blood smear examination was negative for any hemoparasites, PCR evaluation of the blood sample revealed E. canis infection. The animal was treated successfully using Doxycycline (5mg/kg BID per orally for 21 days) and supportive therapy using antacid, antihistamine, anti inflammatory steroid, antioxidant, hepato-protectant, hematinic and B-complex vitamins. The case points towards the need for high sensitivity molecular techniques like PCR in effective screening of canine ehrlichiosis and other tick-borne hemoparasitic diseases. Top Keywords Blood smear examination, canine ehrlichiosis, clinical management, molecular diagnosis. Top |