Veterinarija ir Zootechnika

The species Ehrlichia chaffeensis is important for public health as it is the etiological agent of human monocytic ehrlichiosis (HME). The objective was to detect Ehrlichia chaffeensis in dogs from León, Nicaragua. Thirty-nine dogs with symptoms consistent with hemoparasitosis and tick infestation were evaluated and underwent a blood smear, SNAP® 4Dx® Plus immunochromatography test, and nested PCR. The presence of Ehrlichia spp morulae in blood smears was detected in 87.2 (95% CI, 72.6-95.7) of the samples, 53.9% (95% CI, 36.9-70.8) of E. canis/E. ewingii seropositive canines were detected with SNAP. Ehrlichia spp was detected by PCR in 87.2 % (95% CI, 72.6-95.7) of samples. In the nested analysis, 24.6% (95% CI, 10.7-40.6) of canines were positive for Ehrlichia chaffeensis. This is the first report of molecular detection of this important zoonotic agent causing canine ehrlichiosis in Nicaragua.