POLYMERASE CHAIN-REACTION EVIDENCE OF EHRLICHIA-CHAFFEENSIS, AN ETIOLOGIC AGENT OF HUMAN EHRLICHIOSIS, IN DOGS FROM SOUTHEAST VIRGINIA

Objective-To ascertain whether dogs are naturally infected with Ehrlic hia chaffeensis. Animals-74 dogs from 5 animal shelters and 1 kennel i n 3 cities and 3 counties in southeastern Virginia were tested during June 1991. Procedure-Blood was drawn from 74 dogs; 73 were tested sero logically for antibodies reactive to E chaffeensis and E canis, and 38 were tested for the presence of E chaffeensis, E canis, and E ewingii by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Serologic testing by indirect flu orescent antibody assay. Nested PCR used Ehrlichia-wide outside primer s to detect initial products, followed by use of species-specific prim ers for identification. Results-28 (38.4%) dogs had a positive test re sult (minimum titer, greater than or equal to 1:64) for antibodies rea ctive to E chaffeensis, and 28 (38.4%) had a positive reaction to E ca nis. PCR analysis indicated that 8 (42.1%) dogs were positive for E ch affeensis and 6 dogs (31.6%) were positive for E ewingii All dogs had negative results of the PCR test for E canis. Conclusion-Dogs are pote ntial reservoirs of E chaffeensis. Clinical Relevance-Canine E chaffee nsis infection may be more prevalent than E canis or E ewingii infecti on in this region of the United States.