Vol. 5, Issue 3, Part A (2020)

Author(s): Bazezew Marshet and Debeb Dessie

Abstract: Canine ehrlichiosis is an infectious vector borne disease of dogs caused by different Ehrlichia species, which are intracellular rickettsial organism belonging to the family Rickettsiaceae; Included in order Rickettsiales, the obligate intracellular location of these organisms makes an effective host immunologic response difficult. It is typically a disease of leukocyte and platelet manifested by an acute reduction in cellular blood elements, most often Pancytopaenia, thrombocytopenia. The disease is widespread in dogs in tropical and subtropical and geographic distribution of tick vectors the brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineous), lone star tick (Amblyoma americanum). Canine ehrlichiosis has been a subject of increasing interest from veterinary and public health perspectives over the last few decades with identified zoonotic important species, from which Ehrlichia chaffeensis, the etiologic agent of human monocytotropic ehrlichiosis (HME) is an emerging zoonosis. Traditional diagnostic techniques including hematology, cytology, serology and isolation are valuable diagnostic tools for canine ehrlichiosis; however, a definitive diagnosis of Ehrlichial species infection requires molecular techniques. This disease can be prevented through avoidance of tick bites. Tetracycline-related antibiotics have been the treatment of choice for Ehrlichia infections for years. Therefore this paper will focus on canine ehrlichiosis and its public health importance.