Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Ehrlichia canis passed from mother dogs to puppies in Brazil
By Pereira, Mariana Rodrigues et al.·Published in Veterinary microbiology·2025·Laborató, Brazil·View original on PubMed →
PetCaseFinder translated the abstract of this peer-reviewed paper into plain English so pet owners can read it. We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above. How we work →
Original publication title: First molecular evidence of vertical transmission of Ehrlichia canis in naturally infected female dogs in Brazil.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of pregnant female dogs in Brazil was found to have a bacterial infection called Ehrlichia canis, which can be spread by ticks. Researchers discovered that this infection could be passed from mother to puppy during pregnancy, as they detected the bacteria in the blood of the mothers, in some placentas, and even in a few live puppies shortly after birth. This finding suggests that Ehrlichia canis can be transmitted in utero, which raises concerns about the health of both the mother and her puppies. It's important for dog owners in affected areas to monitor their pets for tick-borne diseases and consult their veterinarian for preventive measures.
People also search for: dog tick disease · Ehrlichia canis symptoms in dogs · pregnant dog infection treatment
Abstract
Ehrlichia canis is an obligate intracellular bacterium transmitted by the tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato. This pathogen is also the etiological agent of canine monocytic ehrlichiosis, a disease with widespread global distribution and recognized zoonotic potential. Although vector-borne transmission is well established, evidence supporting the occurrence of vertical transmission remains limited. This study aimed to investigate the potential transplacental transmission of E. canis in 51 naturally infected pregnant bitches using molecular diagnostic techniques, genetic sequencing, and phylogenetic analysis. Blood and placental samples from the 51 dams, organ pool samples from 22 stillborn puppies, and peripheral blood from 40 live neonates up to five days of age were analyzed. Molecular analyses were performed using nested PCR targeting the 16S rRNA gene, with initial detection of the genus Ehrlichia and subsequent specific confirmation of E. canis, followed by genetic sequencing and phylogenetic characterization of the positive samples. Ehrlichia spp. DNA was detected in 27.45 % of dams blood samples, 5.88 % of placentas, 9.09 % of stillborns organ pools, and 2.5 % of live-born puppies up to five days old. The sequences obtained showed 100 % identity with previously characterized E. canis isolates from different geographic regions. The study confirms the occurrence of transplacental transmission of E. canis in dogs and highlights the potential of this route in the maintenance and dissemination of zoonotic vector-borne agents. It emphasizes the need to study vertical transmission mechanisms of pathogens and their impact in endemic areas, and to combine reproductive monitoring with infectious disease control in dogs for improved animal and public health.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40812027/