Evaluation of a polyvalent enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay incorporating a recombinant p44 antigen for diagnosis of granulocytic ehrlichiosis in dogs and horses.

OBJECTIVE

To develop and evaluate a polyvalent ELISA incorporating a highly specific recombinant antigen (p44) for diagnosis of granulocytic ehrlichiosis in dogs and horses.

ANIMALS

32 dogs and 43 horses.

PROCEDURE

Results of the ELISA were compared with results of indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) staining and western immunoblotting incorporating whole-cell antigen.

RESULTS

For the canine and equine samples, percentages of samples with positive IFA staining, western immunoblotting, and ELISA results were similar. For 29 (91 %) canine samples and 30 (70%) equine samples, results of IFA staining, western immunoblotting, and the ELISA were in complete agreement. Results of the ELISA for 3 canine serum samples known to contain antibodies to Ehrlichia canis and 12 equine serum samples known to contain antibodies to E risticii were negative.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Results of the present study suggest that a polyvalent ELISA incorporating a recombinant p44 antigen is suitable for detecting antibodies to E equi in dogs and horses.