Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Graduated with a doctorate in veterinary medicine, Islamic Azad University, Shushtar-Iran
2
Assistant Professor, Department of Microbiology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Islamic Azad University, Kazerun Branch, Kazerun, Iran.
Abstract
In recent years, the importance of research on the Anaplasmataceae family has increased. In this family, there is the genus Ehrlichia, which are obligate intracellular and zoonotic bacteria. The main carriers of these bacteria are ticks, which are common species of hard ticks that are mostly found all over the world, such as ticks. Ixodes, Dermacentaur, and Repicephalus cause bites and contamination of dogs and humans. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the prevalence of Ehrlichia canis in domestic dogs in Shiraz. To carry out this study, sampling was done from the bodies of 36 tick-infested dogs that were kept outside the house. In the next step, DNA isolation and commercial PCR were done. IFAT results show a very low serum prevalence of anti-E. canis antibodies (3 dog collars; 1.5%). The prevalence of the Rhipiscephalus sanguineus in the studied dog population was reported to be 18% (36 dog collars). Based on the results of the PCR test, it was found that 3 out of 200 studied samples (1.5%) were positive for Ehrlichia species. In the present study, all 3 infected dogs had the Rhipiscephalus sanguineus, and in the examination of the peripheral blood smears of the tested dogs, Ehrlichia canis morulae was not found in the lymphocytes. Considering that some species of ehrlichiosis are considered as potential zoonoses, therefore, the role of infected dogs as potential sources of infection for humans is important due to the common aspects between humans and animals.
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