Molecular prevalence and factors associated with infection in dogs from the North Pantanal wetland, Brazil.

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Canine monocytic ehrlichiosis is a vector-borne disease caused by the obligatory intracellular bacterium , which is distributed across tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. Its prevalence within dog populations is high in municipalities located across the Pantanal biome, but it remains unknown in Barão de Melgaço, Mato Grosso, Brazil. This study aimed to determine the molecular prevalence and factors associated with infection in dogs domiciled in Barão de Melgaço.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A cross-sectional study was carried out to investigate the prevalence of infection in 369 dogs from urban and rural areas in Barão de Melgaço, North Pantanal wetland, Brazil. Initially, the dogs were examined, and, through a questionnaire, the risk factors were investigated. Blood samples were subjected to DNA extraction and PCR was performed to estimate the prevalence of infection.

RESULTS

The molecular prevalence of infection in dogs was 42.5% and none of the studied variables were significantly associated with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) positivity (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The high molecular prevalence demonstrates an increased transmission of the agent across the city. This also indicates that attention needs to be paid to infection and control measures should be introduced to prevent its transmission. The demographic and clinical risk factors commonly associated with infection in this study were not associated with PCR positivity.