SERUM PROTEIN PROFILE ALTERATIONS IN DOGS NATURALLY INFECTED BY Ehrlichia canis.

Abstract

Total proteins, albumin, and electrophoretic fractions of the serum proteins were performed in 20 dogs naturally infected by Ehrlichia canis and 10 healthy dogs (control group). All the E. Canis-naturally infected dogs presented antibodies titers > 1:160 and thrombocytopenia. These dogs were divided into two experimental groups according to hematological parameters defined as pancytopenic (n = 10) and non-pancytopenic (n = 10). The results showed that both infected groups had significantly lower concentrations of albumin (p<0.01), hyperglobulinemia (p<0.05), and hypergammaglobulinemia (p<0.05) when compared with control group. Although the infected groups had hyperproteinemia, this increase was not significant when compared to the control group. KEY-WORDS: Ehrlichia canis. Hypoalbuminemia. Hypergammaglobulinemia. Dog.