Canine ehrlichiosis in Egypt: sero-epidemiological survey

Abstract

A total of 374 dogs, 252 from five military kennels and 122 privately owned, were tested for Ehrlichia canis antibody. Sera were tested at a 1:20 dilution by indirect fluorescent antibody with the use of E. canis cell-culture antigen slides. The overall prevalence of E. canis antibody was 33%. Antibody prevalence among military dogs (29 %) was significantly lower than among privately owned dogs (41 %; P < 0,05) . The E. canis seroprevalence among dogs infested with ticks (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) was higher (44 %) than that among uninfested dogs (31 %; P = 0,08) . The seroprevalence among military dogs varied from 21-46% at the five kennels; lower prevalences were observed in kennels with higher sanitary and hygienic conditions. Age- and sex-related E. canis antibody prevalences were not significantly different among military and privately owned dogs, although adult and male privately owned dogs had the highest seroprevalences (45% and 44 %, respectively). Three dogs with epistaxis had E. canis antibody titres > 1:320. These data demonstrate the first laboratory evidence of E. canis infection among dogs in Egypt.