Canine ehrlichiosis caused simultaneously by Ehrlichia canis and Ehrlichiaplatys

To identify the causative agent of canine ehrlichiosis that has occurred in the suburbs of Guangzhou, China, since 1998, the 16S rRNA gene was amplifi ed and sequenced, Two sequences of 1,482 and 1,483 base pairs were obtained and named as Gzh981 and Gzh982, respectively. The level of similarity of t hese two was 91.50%, and Gzh981 closely resembled the 16S rRNA gene of Ehrl ichia canis, whereas Gzh982 resembled Ehrlichia platys, We therefore conclu de that E. canis and E, platys together caused rec;ent outbreaks of canine ehrlichiosis in China.