Performance of a commercially available in-clinic ELISA for the detection of antibodies against Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Ehrlichia canis, and Borrelia burgdorferi and Dirofilaria immitis antigen in dogs

Objective-To evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of a commercially available in-clinic ELISA for detection of heartworm infection and tick borne diseases in dogs Sample Population-846 serum plasma or blood samples obtained from dogs Procedures-Samples were evaluated via the in-clinic ELISA to detect antibodies against Anaplasma phagocytophilum Ehrlichia can's and Borrelia burgdorferi and Dirofilaria immitis (heartworm) antigen True infection or immunologic status of samples was assessed by use of results of necropsy an antigen assay for D immitis and immunofluorescence assay or western blot analysis for antibodies against B burgdorferi E cams and A phagocytophilum Results-Sensitivity and specificity of the in-clinic ELISA for detection of heartworm antigen (99 2% and 100% respectively) antibodies against B burgdorferi (98 8% and 100% respectively) and antibodies against E can's (96 2% and 100% respectively) were similar to results for a similar commercial ELISA In samples obtained from dogs in the northeast and upper Midwest of the United States sensitivity and specificity of the in-clinic ELISA for antibodies against Anaplasma spp were 99 1% and 100% respectively compared with re suits for an immunofluorescence assay Samples from 2 dogs experimentally infected with the NY18 strain of A phagocytophilum were tested by use of the in clinic ELISA and anti bodies against A phagocytophilum were detected by 8 days after inoculation Antibodies against Anaplasma platys in experimentally infected dogs cross-reacted with the A phagocytophilum analyte Coinfections were identified in several of the canine serum samples Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-The commercially available in clinic ELISA could be used by veterinarians to screen dogs for heartworm infection and for exposure to tick-borne pathogens (Am J Vet Res 2010 71 1443-1450)