Ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis are tick-transmitted diseases affecting humans and animals, having a worldwide distribution. Mexico has some warm areas where it could be the right environmental conditions for these diseases to endemically be established. Both diseases can become lethal in dogs. They also have a zoonotic potential. The aim of this study is to detect the presence of Ehrlichia canis, which causes canine monocytic ehrlichiosis, and Anaplasma phagocytophilum, which causes human granulocytic anaplasmosis. However, Anaplasma also infects the dog.

The study was conducted in Juarez, Mexico. Blood of 196 tick-infested dogs with no apparent signs of disease was analyzed. Selection of patients was established according to densely populated areas. DNA extraction was performed using commercial MOBIO kit. Detection was performed by nested PCR technique, and the result was visualized by electrophoresis using ECC-ECB and HE-ACE primers for E. canis and GE3F-GE10R Y-GE2R GE9F for A. phagocytophilum.

We found that 104 dogs (53%) were positive for Ehrlichia canis and 25 (12.75%) for Anaplasma phagocytophilum. We also found 13 animals (52%) positive for both diseases. The diagnosis of these diseases confirms the importance of the tick as a primary vector. Furthermore, the dog has been established as Anaplasma phagocytophilum carrier of a zoonotic disease. Additional studies about dogs and ticks contribute for further detection of more vector-borne diseases of importance in veterinary and public health.