Ehrlichia

Question 1

what is erhlichia

Answer 1

gram neg bacteria

intracellular - monocyte or granulocytes

Question 2

what are the common symptoms

Answer 2

lymphadenopathy, kg loss and lethargy
haem+ of eyes, brain –> change behaviours too
pus/protein/blood in urine and high globulins, low albumin

Question 3

what are the 2 stages of dz

Answer 3

acute - good recovery
subacute
chronic - poor px

Question 4

what is responsible for canine monocytic erhlichiosis

Answer 4

e canis

Question 5

what transmits e cani

Answer 5

r. sanguineus

Question 6

what is the best tx for erhlichia

Answer 6

doxycycline - 10mg/kg sid p/o

Question 7

what are 2 important factors re the success of the tx

Answer 7

1. PLT recovery wi 2wks

2. PCR of spleen to ID PI is neg

Question 8

if tx is unsuccessful - what do you do

Answer 8

supportive - continue (IVFT, transfusion, colony stimulationg factors)
check for other tick-borne dz

Question 9

what are the signs of chronic ehrlichiosis

Answer 9

BM hypoplasia - anaemia, noregen
pancytopenia
BM plasmacytosis
thrombocytopenia

Question 10

how do you prevent ehrlichia infections

Answer 10

SP, deltamethrin, permethrin spot-on for ticks

remove ticks wi 24 hr of attachment (wont have started feeding)

Question 11

decs the lifecycle of ehrlicia and the r. sanguineus

Answer 11

3 host lifecycle
eggs eaten by larvae (6 legs)
larvae - 1st host (summer)
moult (spring) to nymph (8legs)
moult to adult (autumn) and lay eggs on pasture