Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Ehrlichia ewingii infection lasting over 2 years in Oklahoma dogs
By Starkey, L A et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2015·Department of Veterinary Pathobiology·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Persistent Ehrlichia ewingii infection in dogs after natural tick infestation.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Four Beagle dogs were exposed to ticks and later tested positive for Ehrlichia ewingii, a tick-borne infection that can affect both dogs and people. The dogs showed signs of infection for up to 733 days, with three of them having intermittent infections throughout this period. This study highlights that dogs can carry this infection for a long time, potentially spreading it to other animals. If your dog has been exposed to ticks and shows symptoms like fever, lethargy, or joint pain, it's important to consult your veterinarian for testing and treatment options.
People also search for: dog tick disease symptoms · Ehrlichia ewingii treatment for dogs · how long do tick infections last in dogs
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Ehrlichia ewingii, which causes disease in dogs and people, is the most common Ehrlichia spp. infecting dogs in the United States, but little is known about how long E. ewingii infection persists in dogs. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the persistence of natural infection with E. ewingii in dogs. ANIMALS: Four Class A Beagles; no previous exposure to ticks or tick-borne infectious agents. METHODS: Dogs were exposed to ticks by weekly walks through tick habitat in north central Oklahoma; dogs positive for infection with Ehrlichia spp. by sequence-confirmed PCR and peptide-specific serology were evaluated for 733 days (D). Whole blood was collected once weekly for PCR, and serum was collected once monthly for detection of antibodies to Ehrlichia canis (peptide p16), Ehrlichia chaffeensis (indirect fluorescence antibody [IFA] and variable-length PCR target [VLPT]), and E. ewingii (peptide p28). RESULTS: All dogs (4/4) became infected with Ehrlichia spp. as evidenced by seroconversion on IFA to E. chaffeensis (4/4); PCR detection of E. ewingii (4/4) and E. chaffeensis (2/4) DNA using both nested and real-time assays; and presence of specific antibodies to E. ewingii (4/4) and E. chaffeensis (2/4). Infection with E. chaffeensis was not detected after D55. Intermittent E. ewingii rickettsemia persisted in 3 of 4 dogs for as long as 733 days. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Our data demonstrate that dogs infected with E. ewingii from tick feeding are capable of maintaining infection with this pathogen long-term, and may serve as a reservoir host for the maintenance of E. ewingii in nature.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25776536/