Doxycycline clearance of experimentally induced chronic Ehrlichia canis infection in dogs.
J Vet Intern Med
; 21(6): 1237-42, 2007.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-18196732
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Ineffective clearance of Ehrlichia canis after doxycycline administration has been reported despite the fact that the recommended treatment for canine ehrlichiosis is doxycycline. The effectiveness of doxycycline in clearing E canis infection from the blood and tissues of dogs requires additional evaluation.HYPOTHESIS:
Doxycycline (5 mg/kg PO q12h), administered for 4 weeks, will eliminate E canis infection from the blood and tissues of experimentally infected dogs. ANIMALS Fifteen Walker hound-mixed breed dogs were inoculated subcutaneously with E canis-infected canine histiocytic cells 4 months before doxycycline treatment.METHODS:
Four dogs were treated with doxycycline (5 mg/kg PO q12h for 3 weeks), 5 dogs were treated with doxycycline at the same dosage for 4 weeks, and 5 control dogs were not treated. Dexamethasone (0.4 mg/kg i.v.) was given after treatment to precipitate recrudescence of any remaining E canis organisms. Platelet counts, anti-E canis immunofluorescent antibodies, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection of E canis deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in blood and tissues were evaluated.RESULTS:
E canis DNA was not detected in the blood and tissues of doxycycline-treated dogs after treatment. Platelet counts were within reference intervals, and E canis antibodies decreased. Spontaneous clearance of E canis infection occurred in 2 of 5 control dogs. Three control dogs had E canis DNA detected in blood and tissues, platelet counts remained low or within the reference interval, and E canis antibodies remained high. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE As administered in this study, doxycycline cleared E canis from the blood and tissues of experimentally infected dogs.
Buscar en Google
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Ehrlichiosis
/
Doxiciclina
/
Ehrlichia canis
/
Enfermedades de los Perros
/
Antibacterianos
Límite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Revista:
J Vet Intern Med
Asunto de la revista:
MEDICINA INTERNA
/
MEDICINA VETERINARIA
Año:
2007
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Estados Unidos