Prevalencia de Ehrlichia canis en perros (Canis lupus familiaris) de la comunidad de Kayamas, parroquia Huambi, cantón Sucúa

Abstract

Rhipicephalus sanguineus is one of the main vectors of infectious diseases, including Ehrlichia canis, an obligate intracellular bacterium characterized by causing canine monocytic ehrlichiosis, a disease that provokes signs such as fever, anorexia, lethargy, lymphadenopathy and, in more severe cases, neurological signs and severe hemorrhages. Rhipicephalus linnaei is the tropical lineage of this same tick that is distributed throughout Latin America. Therefore, the present study sought to determine the prevalence of Ehrlichia canis in the community of Kayamas with a sample of 43 dogs. The results obtained a prevalence of 11.6% of E. canis. No relationship was found between the variables of age and sex and the response variable. The signs with a significant relationship with the presence of E. canis were pale mucous membranes, anorexia and weakness, for which Fisher's exact test was used. The most frequent hematological findings were anemia, thrombocytopenia and low hematocrit, observed in 100% of the positive cases.