Molecular investigation of Ehrlichia spp. and Anaplasma platys in domestic cats: Clinical signs, hematological and biochemical alterations

Correa E. S., Paludo G. R., Scalon M. C., Machado J.A., Lima A. C. Q., Pinto A. T. B., Thiebaut J.T.L. & Albernaz A. P. 2011. [Molecular investigation of Ehrlichia spp. and Anaplasma platys in domestic cats: Clinical signs, hematological and biochemical alterations.] Investigacao molecular de Ehrlichia spp. e Anaplasma platys em felinos domesticos: alteracoes clinicas, hematologicas e bioquimicas. Pesquisa Veterinaria Brasileira 31(10): 899-909. Laboratorio de Clinica e Cirurgia Animal, Hospital Veterinario, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Av. Alberto Lamego 2000, Parque California, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ 28013-602, Brazil. E-mail: elisabetesales@gmail.com Ehrlichia sp. and Anaplasma platys are Gram-negative micro-organisms, obligate intracellular parasites, residing in cytoplasmic vacuoles of leukocytes and platelets, found in peripheral blood or tissue. Few reports have been made about ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis in cats in Brazil, which are based on the presence of morulae in leukocytes and platelets, or by detecting antibodies. The objective of this study was to investigate the natural infection with Ehrlichia sp. and A. platys in cats in Campos dos Goytacazes-RJ, by hematoscopia and DNA detection of these agents. Samples of whole blood and serum from 91 cats, regardless of race, gender and age. Blood count, serum biochemistry and PCR using primers for Ehrlichia sp. and A. platys were perfomed. Data from hematoscopia showed 9.89% of morulae only in platelets. The DNA of A. platys was detected in 13.18% of the 91 samples and 44.44% of the positive at hematoscopia. The DNA of Ehrlichia sp. was not detected in any sample. All animals studied did not show clinical signs neither positive laboratory results. The data suggest that domestic cats can serve as potential reservoirs for A. platys as asymptomatic form of related diseases.