Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
PCR test using Ehrlichia canis p28 gene to diagnose dog ehrlichiosis
By Nakaghi, Andrea Cristina Higa et al.·Published in Revista brasileira de parasitologia veterinaria = Brazilian journal of veterinary parasitology : Orgao Oficial do Colegio Brasileiro de Parasitologia Veterinaria·2010·Laborató, Brazil·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Sensitivity evaluation of a single-step PCR assay using Ehrlichia canis p28 gene as a target and its application in diagnosis of canine ehrlichiosis.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs suspected to have canine ehrlichiosis (a tick-borne disease) had their blood tested using a new PCR method that targets a specific gene from the bacteria Ehrlichia canis. This new test was able to detect the bacteria even in very small amounts, showing promise for diagnosing the disease. While it performed well, some dogs that tested negative with this new method still showed positive results with other established tests. Researchers believe that with further improvements, this new test could become a valuable tool for diagnosing canine ehrlichiosis in dogs.
People also search for: dog ehrlichiosis symptoms · canine ehrlichiosis treatment · PCR test for dog infections
Abstract
The aim of this study was to optimize a PCR assay that amplifies an 843 pb fragment from the p28 gene of Ehrlichia canis and compare it with two other PCR methods used to amplify portions of the 16S rRNA and dsb genes of Ehrlichia. Blood samples were collected from dogs suspected of having a positive diagnosis for canine ehrlichiosis. Amplification of the p28 gene by PCR produced an 843-bp fragment and this assay could detect DNA from one gene copy among 1 billion cells. All positive samples detected by the p28-based PCR were also positive by the 16S rRNA nested-PCR and also by the dsb-based PCR. Among the p28-based PCR negative samples, 55.3% were co-negatives, but 27.6% were positive in 16S rRNA and dsb based PCR assays. The p28-based PCR seems to be a useful test for the molecular detection of E. canis, however improvements in this PCR sensitivity are desired, so that it can become an important alternative in the diagnosis of canine ehrlichiosis.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20624341/