Abstract

Infection with Anaplasma phagocytophilum is of importance in dogs. It is called canine anaplasmosmosis and causes persistent clinical signs for long periods of time. Its main vector is a tick of the genus Ixodes. Diagnosis of anaplasmosis can be achieved either by serological or molecular methods. Presence of the disease has been reported in the U.S.A., Europe and Asia, but little is known about its prevalence in Mexico. In the present study, the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) diagnostic method was used to determine the prevalence of antibodies against A. phagocytophilum at the city of Monterrey, Mexico. A total of 391 dogs were tested using a commercial kit. A 3% prevalence was found that included dogs of the breeds Doberman, French Puddle and Maltese, as well as mixed breed.

Key words: Anaplasma phagocytophilum, dogs, Mexico.