Kafkas Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi 2022 , Vol 28 , Issue 5
Molecular Epidemiology, Hematological Biomarker, Associated Risk Factors and Chemotherapeutic Trials of Ehrlichiosis in Dogs in Pakistan
Shoaib AHMAD1, Farhan Ahmad ATIF1, Arfan ZAMAN2, Syed Nazar ABBAS3, Yasir Razzaq KHAN4, Ameer Hamza RABBANI5, Muhammad SHAHID5, Omar NASEER4, Ahmad ALI4, Kashif HUSSAIN4
1Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Sciences, 35200 Jhang, PAKISTAN
2Department of Biological Sciences, College of Veterinary Sciences, 35200 Jhang, PAKISTAN
3Department of Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, 54000 Lahore, PAKISTAN
4Department of Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Cholistan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, 63100 Bahawalpur, PAKISTAN
5Department of Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Cholistan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, 63100 Bahawalpur, PAKISTAN DOI : 10.9775/kvfd.2022.27559 Th e study was a prospective trial, planned to determine the molecular epidemiology of ehrlichiosis in dogs through blood smear microscopy and Polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A total of 384 cephalic blood samples were collected from domestic (n=288) and stray dogs (n=96) belonging to varied demographics. Molecular detection of Ehrlichia spp. was conducted through PCR by targeting 16S rRNA gene using the genus specific primers. Final logistic regression analysis revealed that previous history of tick infestation and housing hygiene were significant (P<0.001) risk factors associated with molecular prevalence of canine Ehrlichiosis. Th e animals of Group-1 (n=7) received only Minocycline at the rate of 12 mg per kg PO 21 days. Th e dogs of Group-2 (n=7) received Minocycline at the rate of 12 mg per kg PO with Imidocarb dipropionate at the dose rate of 6.6 mg per kg once. Group-3 (n=7) received Ciprofl oxacin 10 mg per kg PO only. Group 4 (n=7) received Ciprofl oxacin 10 mg per kg along with Prednisolone 1 mg for 8 days. Success of treatment was evaluated based on PCR tests. Th e results of the treatment trials revealed 71.42%, 85.71%, 57.14% and 71.42 % recovery rate for Group 1, Group 2, Group 3 and Group 4, respectively. Th e treatment trial concluded that minocycline along with Imidocarb dipropionate produced highest recovery rates. Keywords : Ciprofl oxacin, Dogs, Ehrlichiosis, Minocycline, Polymerase chain reaction, PCR