PCR sensitivity of peripheral blood of dogs co-infected with Leishmania spp. And Ehrlichia spp. in endemic area of Brazil

Abstract

Introduction: Peripheral blood of 400 dogs infected with Leishmania and Ehrlichia were analyzed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and clinical signs were characterized. Methods: PCR and parasitological tests were conducted. Results: PCR was positive for Leishmania in 84.75%, and parasitological tests showed that 63.25% and 31.75% were positive for Leishmania and Ehrlichia, respectively. All animals showed more than three clinical signs. PCR results were negative for Leishmania in 15.25% of the samples. Conclusions: Conventional PCR of peripheral blood can be used for diagnosing canine visceral leishmaniasis in combination with other techniques, especially in uncertain cases that need species identification.