Canine Ehrlichiosis

CANINE EHRLICHIOSIS

Etiology

  • Ehrlichia canis (E.canis)

Incidence

  • Reported in India

Transmission

  • By ticks (Rhiphicephlous sanguinus)

Pathogenesis

  • Entry of organism-Multiplies in reticuloendothelial cells, lymphocytes and monocytes
  • Three intracellular forms of E. canis are recognised
  • Initial bodies – spherical structures
  • Mulberry bodies or morulae – granules
  • Elementary bodies  

Clinical signs

  • Recurrent fever
  • Serous nasal discharge
  • Photophobia
  • Vomition
  • Splenomegaly
  • Leucopoenia
  • Thrombocytopenia
  • Anemia

Lesions

  • Haemorrhages in mucosa of gastrointestinal and urogenital tracts and kidneys
  • Oedematous and haemorrhagic lymphnodes
  • Oedema of limbs
  • Microscopically, perivascular accumulation of lymphoretilcular and plasma cells in meninges, kidneys, liver, lymphopoetic tissue
  • Hypoplasia of bone narrow
  • Necrosis of liver
Diagnosis
  • Demonstration of organism in circulating monocyte, or colonic epithelium
  • Indirect fluorescent antibody test

E.canis
Last modified: Thursday, 22 March 2012, 5:20 AM