Spot diagnosis of canine monocytic ehrlichiosis: Need of the hour

Abstract

Canine monocytic ehrlichiosis is an important rickettsial disease with worldwide distribution, mainly caused by Ehrlichia canis. Diagnosis of the disease is challenging due to its multiple clinical manifestations and occurrence of disease in different phases of the infection. Diagnosis of CME is routinely carried out by blood smear and buffy coat smear examination. Advanced techniques include serology and PCR. Hence an attempt was made to know the sensitivity and specificity of blood smear and buffy coat smear against SNAP 4Dx in detecting CME. In the present investigation, 16 dogs suspected for ehrlichiosis were included. Blood smear and buffy coat smear examination showed a sensitivity of 16.67 and 38.89 per cent respectively as against 100 per cent in ELISA based SNAP 4Dx kit. Thus, SNAP 4Dx kit with cent per cent reliability and minimum reaction time (8 minutes) makes it an effective in-clinic spot diagnostic test for confirming ehrlichiosis in dogs.