Seroprevalence and risk factors associated to Ehrlichia canis in dogs from the semiarid of Paraíba State, Northeastern Brazil

Abstract

Aiming to determine the seroprevalence of Ehrlichia canis infection, as well as to identify risk factors associated to the seropositivity, a serological survey was conducted in 109 dogs assisted at the Hospital Veterinário/Centro de Saúde e Tecnologia Rural (CSTR)/Universidade Federal de Campina Grande (UFCG), Campus de Patos, Paraíba State, Northeastern Brazil. Serological diagnosis of ehrlichiosis was performed by the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) and sera presenting antibody titers >; 40 were considered positive. Of the 109 samples, 72.5% were positive (95% CI = 63.1% - 80.6%). Animals that had contact with other dogs (odds ratio = 3.59; 95% CI = 1.41 - 9.12), contact with ponds (odds ratio = 8.39; 95% CI = 1.01 - 69.87) or with free access to the street (odds ratio = 6.24; 95% CI = 1.28 - 30.39) were more exposed to the risk of infection.