Investigação de leptospirose em cães diagnosticados com erliquiose

Abstract

In veterinary medicine, infectious diseases are a major challenge, mainly due to overlapping clinical signs. Among the most relevant diseases in small animals, ehrlichiosis and leptospirosis stand out, both of which are endemic in Brazil. This study aimed to investigate the occurrence of coinfection by Ehrlichia spp. and Leptospira spp., and its hematological and biochemical changes in dogs residing in an animal protection NGO in the municipality of Uberlândia. The study was conducted based on the analysis of blood samples from 36 dogs previously diagnosed with ehrlichiosis by ear tip and qPCR methods, which underwent complete blood count, serum biochemistry, microscopic agglutination test (MAT), and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests. The results showed that coinfected dogs had more pronounced changes compared to those infected only with Ehrlichia spp. Significant thrombocytopenia was observed in both groups, relative leukocytosis in coinfected dogs, and elevated urea levels. In the serological analysis, 16.7% of the dogs were seroreactive for Leptospira spp., with a predominance of the Icterohaemorrhagiae serovar. All samples submitted to the polymerase chain reaction were negative. Coinfection by Ehrlichia spp. and Leptospira spp. in dogs was evidenced in this study, which highlights the importance of using multiple laboratory methods associated with clinical and epidemiological evaluation, in addition to reinforcing the relevance of surveillance of these diseases in dogs, given their high prevalence in Brazil and potential impact on public health.