Prevalence of Ehrlichia Canis in and Around Meerut District and Its Comparative Therapeutic Efficacy

Abstract

Canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (CME) is caused by the obligatory intracellular pleomorphic rickettsia, E. canis. The prevalence of E. canis in and around Meerut district was 3.55%. The highest affection of E. canis was found within the age group of 1-3 years (38.4%), followed by the 4-5 years age group, then 6-7 year of age group. E. canis infection was highest in Labrador (6.15%) followed by Rottweiler (5.55%), Bull mastiff (4.16%), Golden retriever (3.22%), German shepherd (2.5%), Pitbull (2.40%), and non-descriptive (1.40%) breed of dogs. Higher prevalence was recorded in males (4.10%) in comparison to females (2.92%). In canine ehrlichiosis, the characteristic clinical features observed were Anorexia (92.3%), Tick infestation (76.9%), Pyrexia (61.55%), Melena (53.8%), PLN nodes (23.07%), Epistaxis (15.38%) and corneal opacity (7.69%).There was significant (p<0.01) decrease in Hb (gm/dl), PCV (%), TEC (106/ μl), total platelets count (103/mm3) and increased in TLC (103/ μl) In E. canis positive cases. There was significant increased total bilirubin (mg/dL), ALP (U/L), ALT (U/L), AST (U/L) and decreased total protein in E. canis positive cases. After treatment with Doxycycline and Minocycline, the haemato-biochemical parameters returned towards normal level on day 21 post therapy. Minocycline treated group of dogs showed better result in clinical and haematobiochemical parameters as compared with Doxycycline treated dogs. Minocycline can be used for the treatment of E. canis infected dogs instead Doxycycline.