PCR sensitivity of peripheral blood of dogs co-infected with Leishmania spp. and Ehrlichia spp. in endemic area of Brazil

Rev Soc Bras Med Trop. 2018 Nov-Dec;51(6):843-847. doi: 10.1590/0037-8682-0040-2018.

Abstract

Introduction: Peripheral blood of 400 dogs infected with Leishmania and Ehrlichia were analyzed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and clinical signs were characterized.

Methods: PCR and parasitological tests were conducted.

Results: PCR was positive for Leishmania in 84.75%, and parasitological tests showed that 63.25% and 31.75% were positive for Leishmania and Ehrlichia, respectively. All animals showed more than three clinical signs. PCR results were negative for Leishmania in 15.25% of the samples.

Conclusions: Conventional PCR of peripheral blood can be used for diagnosing canine visceral leishmaniasis in combination with other techniques, especially in uncertain cases that need species identification.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brazil / epidemiology
  • Coinfection
  • Dog Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Dog Diseases / epidemiology
  • Dogs
  • Ehrlichiosis / diagnosis
  • Ehrlichiosis / epidemiology
  • Ehrlichiosis / veterinary*
  • Endemic Diseases
  • Female
  • Leishmaniasis, Visceral / diagnosis
  • Leishmaniasis, Visceral / epidemiology
  • Leishmaniasis, Visceral / veterinary*
  • Male
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Sensitivity and Specificity