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Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

DOI

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Abstract

Ehrlichia canis is the causative agent of canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (CME). The aim of this study was to detect E. canis antibodies in dogs by the IFA and dot-ELISA techniques. Blood sera from 239 dogs were collected as material. IFA test and dot-ELISA were performed with commercially available test kits. The IFA test was applied according to the procedure in the IFA kit. The Immunocomb test system was used in dot-ELISA. Agreement between these techniques was analysed by the kappa (K) test. The specificity and sensitivity of dot-ELISA were calculated. Positive results were observed from 162 (67.8%) and 137 (53.3%) of 239 dogs by IFA test and dot-ELISA, respectively. Among 91 dogs with clinical signs of CME, 56 (61.5%) and 46 (50.5%); of 31 apparently healthy dogs, 8 (25.8%) and 1 (3.2%); and of 117 dogs with only tick infestation, 98 (83.8%) and 90 (76.9%) were positive for E. canis antibodies by IFA test and dot-ELISA, respectively. The agreement between the IFA test and dot-ELISA was 0.73 and was significant (P < 0.001). The specificity and sensitivity of dot-ELISA were calculated to be 96% and 82%, respectively. In conclusion, it was determined that IFA test and dot-ELISA gave concordant results and that both could be used in the serologic diagnosis of ehrlichiosis.

Keywords

Dot-ELISA, Ehrlichia canis, IFA, dog

First Page

767

Last Page

773

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