Prevalence of ehrlichia canis and babesia canis infections in thrombocytopenic dogs

Prevalence of Ehrlichia canis and Babesia canis Infections in Thrombocytopenic DogsIn the present study the aim was to investigate the prevalance of Ehrlichia canis and Babesia canis infections in thrombocytopenic dogs, and to determine the relation among those aforementioned diseases, and diagnostic role of thrombocytopenia in the latter infections.Blood samples were collected from 224 dog of different ages and of both sexes. Samples were seperated to three groups according to their thrombocyte counts (thrombocyte counts higher than 201.000µ/L; thrombocyte counts between 101.000?200.000µ/L, thrombocyte counts below 101.000). In blood samples, E. canis was determined using IFAT and B. canis was detected using a molecular diagnostic method, PCR. Data gathered from the dogs were examined using SPSS software program using Chi-Square testEighty one (36,2%) of 224 dogs were positive to E. canis and 4 (1,8%) were B. canis positive. Sixty nine of 143 trombocytopenic dogs (48,3%) and 12 of 81 non-trombocytopenic dogs (14,8%) were E. canis positive, respectively. A statistically significant difference was found among the degree of thrombocytopenia and E. canis prevalance, however there was insignificant importance between the severity of thrombocytopenia and B canis infection.In conclusion, it was suggested that as the degree of thrombocytopenia elevates the incidence of E. canis infection increases and thrombocyte counts could not be evaluated specifically for E canis infection, therefore could be used for sureveillance test for experiencing forward diagnostic applications. Increase in the degree of thrombocytopenia causes increase the conincide of E. canis infection and determination of the thrombocyte numbers could not be a specific test for the possible diagnosis of E canis infection but could be refered a transision for these tests.Key words: Ehrlichia canis, Babesia canis, dog, thrombocytopenia