Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Severe Ehrlichia and Toxoplasma infection in a dog with blood
By Ioana Sandu et al.·Published in Veterinary Medicine and Science·2025·View original on Semantic Scholar →
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Original publication title: A Severe Clinical Case of Ehrlichia canis and Toxoplasma gondii in a Dog (With the First Morphological Detection of Tachyzoites in Peripheral Blood)
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 5-year-old female mixed-breed dog was brought to the vet showing signs of neurological issues, trouble breathing, extreme tiredness, and not wanting to eat. The vet found multiple ticks on her and ran tests that revealed she had two serious infections: Ehrlichia canis and Toxoplasma gondii. These infections were confirmed through a blood test. Unfortunately, this case highlights a rare and severe co-infection that can be fatal, emphasizing the importance of tick prevention and prompt veterinary care for symptomatic dogs.
People also search for: dog breathing problems · mixed-breed dog lethargy · Ehrlichia canis treatment · Toxoplasma gondii in dogs · dog tick prevention
Abstract
ABSTRACT Vector‐borne pathogens (VBPs) are frequently identified in domestic dogs, particularly in endemic areas or in individuals lacking protection from anti‐feeding products. Diagnostic procedures in veterinary clinics for symptomatic animals primarily include rapid serological assays; however, more definitive, albeit time‐intensive tests typically require well‐equipped laboratory facilities. A 5‐year‐old female mixed‐breed dog was presented to a veterinary clinic exhibiting neurological abnormalities, dyspnoea, lethargy and anorexia. Multiple ticks, predominantly of the genera Rhipicephalus and Dermacentor, were observed attached to the animal's integument. A blood smear examination revealed tachyzoites morphologically consistent with Toxoplasma spp. and intracellular morulae indicative of Ehrlichia canis infections. These findings were subsequently confirmed via polymerase chain reaction (PCR). This report documents a rare and fatal canine co‐infection of ehrlichiosis and toxoplasmosis, initially diagnosed through microscopic examination and serology, with definitive confirmation achieved through PCR analysis.
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Search related cases →Original publication on Semantic Scholar: https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/40328691