Detección molecular y análisis filogenético de Ehrlichia canis en perros atendidos en el centro médico veterinario “Biospet” en el Cantón Santa Rosa (Ecuador)

Abstract

Ehrlichiosis is a bacterial disease prevalent in tropical and subtropical areas, transmitted by ticks infected with hemoparasites. The causative agent, Ehrlichia canis, is a gram-negative intracellular bacterium of the family Anaplasmataceae, order Rickettsiales, which mainly affects monocytes and macrophages. This bacterium, of small size and variable morphology, can cause a wide range of clinical symptoms, from acute to severe chronic, including ocular uveitis. Several diagnostic tools are used to detect ehrlichiosis, such as blood smear analysis, serological methods and Elisa tests. However, these methods have limitations in terms of sensitivity and specificity. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique and DNA sequencing are more accurate and sensitive, allowing accurate identification of the pathogen and quantification of the bacterial load. This study focuses on the molecular identification of Ehrlichia canis by 16s rRNA sequencing in dogs treated at the “Biospet” veterinary medical center in Santa Rosa, Ecuador. The choice of molecular methods, such as PCR, is due to its high accuracy in the detection of Ehrlichia spp. avoiding confusion with other species and significantly improving the diagnosis. Given the scarcity of reports of sequencing of E. canis in Ecuador, this research aims to provide a more reliable and accurate diagnosis of the bacterium.