Detecção molecular de Anaplasma platys, Ehrlichia canis e Babesia spp. em cães atendidos em clínica da região metropolitana do estado do Rio de Janeiro.

The present study aimed to detect, by means of Polimerase chain reaction (PCR), the frequency of Ehrlichia canis, Babesia spp. and Anaplasma platys in dogs, relating the prevalence of hematological findings to positive PCR results. A total of 209 blood samples from dogs treated at a private veterinary clinic in the city of Queimados, RJ, Brazil, from July to October 2014 were evaluated. Complete blood count and DNA extraction were performed for the PCR technique. Of the total of 209 animals, 19.1% (40/209) animals were positive for hemoparasites by the PCR technique. Of these, 52.5% (21/40) were positive for E. canis, 27.5% (11/40) were positive for Babesia spp. and 10% (4/40) positive for A. platys. Four animals (1.91%) of the 209 tested were positive for at least two agents, thus characterizing coinfection. Of the 40 dogs positive for any of the agents tested, 25 (62.5%) were thrombocytopenic. That is, 15 dogs (37.5%) were positive for hemoparasites, but did not have thrombocytopenia. Anemia was a common finding, especially in infections by Babesia spp., 100% (11/11) and E. canis, 90.5% (19/21). The PCR technique was an important differential method in the detection of the main canine hemoparasitoses, together with the clinical and hematological findings for the accurate diagnosis of the infection in question. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]