Detection of Ehrlichia canis in domestic cats in the central-western region of Brazil
Braz. j. microbiol
;
45(2): 641-645, Apr.-June 2014. mapas
Article
in English
| LILACS
| ID: lil-723129
ABSTRACT
Ehrlichiosis is a worldwide distributed disease caused by different bacteria of the Ehrlichia genus that are transmitted by arthropod vectors. Its occurrence in dogs is considered endemic in several regions of Brazil. Regarding cats, however, few studies have been done and, consequently, there is not enough data available. In order to detect Ehrlichia spp. in cats from the central-western region of Brazil, blood and serum samples were collected from a regional population of 212 individuals originated from the cities of Cuiabá and Várzea Grande. These animals were tested by the Immunofluorescence Assay (IFA) and the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) designed to amplify a 409 bp fragment of the dsb gene. The results obtained show that 88 (41.5%) cats were seropositive by IFA and 20 (9.4%) cats were positive by PCR. The partial DNA sequence obtained from PCR products yielded twenty samples that were found to match perfectly the Ehrlichia canis sequences deposited on GenBank. The natural transmission of Ehrlichia in cats has not been fully established. Furthermore, tick infestation was not observed in the evaluated cats and was not observed any association between age, gender and positivity of cats in both tests. The present study reports the first serological and molecular detection of E. canis in domestic cats located in the endemic area previously mentioned.
Full text:
Available
Index:
LILACS (Americas)
Main subject:
Cat Diseases
/
Ehrlichiosis
/
Ehrlichia canis
Type of study:
Diagnostic study
Limits:
Animals
Country/Region as subject:
South America
/
Brazil
Language:
English
Journal:
Braz. j. microbiol
Journal subject:
Microbiology
Year:
2014
Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Brazil
Institution/Affiliation country:
Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso/BR
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