Erliquiose monocítica canina : inquérito molecular no Pantanal Mato-Grossense e avaliação de biomarcadores renais

Abstract

Canine monicitic ehrlichiosis (CME) is a disease caused by the obligate intracellular gram-negative bacterium Ehrlichia canis. Transmission occurs by the tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato during a blood meal from an infected dog or through blood transfusion. The disease can manifest itself acutely, subclinically or chronically and clinical signs vary from inapparent to severe depending on factors such as breed-specific immune responses, quantity of pathogens transmitted during feeding, co-infections and general condition of the animal. This research was carried out in two stages and the objectives were: 1) to determine the molecular prevalence and risk factors associated with E. canis infection in dogs domiciled in the municipality of Pantanal Mato Grosso (Barão de Melgaço); 2) evaluate renal function in dogs with CME treated at HOVET-UFMT - Campus Cuiabá using the urinary biomarkers lipocalin associated with neutrophil gelatinase (NGAL) and kidney injury molecule 1 (KIM-1), urea, creatinine, density urinary, UPC; compare the proportion of mixed proteinuria (high and low molecular weight) with high molecular weight proteinuria in dogs, as well as the antibody titer of dogs with CME. The prevalence of E. canis infection in dogs in Barão de Melgaço, Pantanal Mato Grosso was 42.5% and none of the changes showed a significant association with PCR positivity (p > 0.05). Clinical signs were not associated with E. canis infection probably because several dogs were in the subclinical phase or showed clinical signs of other endemic diseases in the region. In the second stage, to analyze the renal function of thirty patient dogs, naturally infected with CME (positive PCR), and six healthy dogs (control group), significant associations were measured and associated: erythrocytes, hematocrits, hemoglobin, phosphorus, urea, creatinine, urinary density, urinary protein creatinine ratio, and urinary NGAL concentration (uNGAL). The increase in NGAL, phosphorus, urea, creatinine and UPC and the increase in USG declared renal damage in dogs with CME. uNGAL was elevated even when serum urea and creatinine concentrations remained unchanged, a fact that demonstrates the importance of this biomarker in the early detection of kidney disease. KIM-1 did not show a significant increase, adding additional studies to investigate the behavior of KIM-1 in CME.