Failure to demonstrate Babesia, Anaplasma or Ehrlichia in thrombocytopenic dogs from St Kitts

Abstract

Background: Thrombocytopenia is common in dogs on St Kitts but there is no data on the possible etiological role played by infections with Anaplasma, Babesia and Ehrlichia, other than E. canis, which are known to occur in the Caribbean. Methodology: Blood from 13 thrombocytopenic but apparently healthy dogs seronegative (Snap 3Dx) for E. canis were tested by PCR for Ehrlichia, Anaplasma and Babesia. Results: All PCRs were negative. Conclusions: The results confirm the high sensitivity of SNAP testing for E. canis and indicate Anaplasma and Babesia are not important causes of thrombocytopenia in dogs on St Kitts. Copyright © 2009 Kelly and Lucas.