Relationship between ocular abnormalities and hematologic alterations in patients infected naturally by Ehrlichia canis

ABSTRACT: To determine the association between ocular abnormalities and hematologic findings in Ehrlichia canis-infected dogs, 120 dogs suspected of canine ehrlichiosis were studied. All patients subjected to rapid serologic diagnostic test for canis, diagnosis was confirmed by quantitative PCR. PCR-positive underwent ophthalmologic examination a hemogram grouped into with thrombocytopenia anemia (G1), (G2), without disorders (G3). For ophthalmic evaluation, those having mild, severe, both mild no alterations. presented uveitis (100%). Severe predominated G1 G2 patients. Dogs leukopenia showed severe disorders. In greater number leukocytes copies/µl TRAG gene, intraocular pressure (IOP) tends decrease vice versa (r = −0.23, r −0.26). conclusion, is earliest alteration ehrlichiosis. The severity associated may be aggravated leukopenia. IOP are useful tools predicting eye involvement regions where canis endemic, use tonometer should routinely dog general consultation.