Molecular prevalence of Ehrlichia canis in dogs examined at the Hospital de Clínicas Veterinárias of Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Southern Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

TL;DR

This study found a 16.84% molecular prevalence of Ehrlichia canis in dogs in southern Brazil, highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring.

Contribution

The study provides one of the few molecular prevalence assessments of E. canis in Rio Grande do Sul and offers phylogenetic insights.

Findings

Ehrlichia canis was detected in 16.84% of 95 tested dogs using nested PCR.

Phylogenetic analysis was conducted on two sequenced PCR products.

The study emphasizes the importance of monitoring E. canis in southern Brazil.

Abstract

Ehrlichia canis is a pathogen that causes a multisystemic disease in dogs of all ages and sexes and belongs to a genus with zoonotic potential. This study aimed to determine the molecular prevalence of E. canis in a population of dogs with no clinical suspicion of ehrlichiosis, examined at the Hospital de Clínicas Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Pelotas (HCV, UFPel). Blood samples from 95 dogs were analyzed at the Veterinary Molecular Biology Laboratory (LabMol-Vet) using nested PCR (nPCR) targeting a 16S rDNA fragment. Amplified products were analyzed by electrophoresis on 1.5% agarose gel and visualized under UV light, revealing a molecular prevalence of 16.84% (16/95). Two PCR products were sequenced for phylogenetic analysis, providing complementary confirmation. This study represents one of the few molecular prevalence investigations conducted in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, and underscore the need for continuous monitoring and further studies to better understand the dynamics of infection.

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•The infection by Ehrlichia canis was confirmed by nested PCR targeting the 16S rDNA.•This is one of the few molecular studies of Ehrlichia canis conducted in the state of Rio Grande do Sul.•Contributes phylogenetic insights into Ehrlichia canis isolates from southern Brazil.

The infection by Ehrlichia canis was confirmed by nested PCR targeting the 16S rDNA.

This is one of the few molecular studies of Ehrlichia canis conducted in the state of Rio Grande do Sul.

Contributes phylogenetic insights into Ehrlichia canis isolates from southern Brazil.

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