Molecular survey and hematological changes of Ehrlichia canis in Cats by the first time in Tehran, Iran

Background and Aim : Ehrlichiosis is a worldwide distributed disease caused by microorganisms of the Ehrlichia genus that is transmitted by arthropod vector Rhipicephalus sanguineous. However, little information we have about the occurrence of Canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (CME) in Tehran province in Iran.Methods : The current study was carried out to evaluate the presence of E. canis in blood samples of one hundred domestic and stray cats in Tehran, Iran using the Polymerase Chain Reaction technique. Cats are infected to this rickettsia by dog’s brown tick or Rhipicephalus sanguineous bite. The tick has a horizontal transmission, and tick Maternal vertical transmission of the parasite is not approved yet. One hundred blood samples of Domestic and Stray cats, different races (DSH, Persian and Scottish) From Different districts of Tehran, Iran referred to veterinary hospitals, with the average age of ۱ year old were selected and examined. Out of one hundred Domestic and stray Cats whose blood samples were examined using PCR.Results : nine samples were positive (۹%). The positive samples consist of five (۵۵.۵۵%) male and four female Cats (۴۴.۴۴%). There was a significant difference between Cats races, seasons, and infestation rates. Hematologic changes in infected samples consist of the shift to the left, Leukocytosis, and three cytoplasmic inclusion bodies have been found. The prevalence values based on breeds and season compared by Fisher’s exact test had a significant difference between season (P=۰.۰۳۲) and breeds (P=۰.۰۲۶). This study is the first molecular detection of E. canis in cats in Iran.Conclusion : The prevalence values based on breeds and season compared by Fisher’s exact test had a significant difference between season (P=۰.۰۳۲) and breeds (P=۰.۰۲۶). This study is the first molecular detection of E. canis in cats in Iran.

کلیدواژه ها:

Ehrlichiosis ، Feline ، PCR ، Iran