Detection of platelet-bound antibodies in beagle dogs after artificial infection with Ehrlichia canis

Six dogs were infected with Ehrlichia canis by intravenous injection of heavily infected DH82 cells. All dogs developed typical signs of canine monocytic ehrlichiosis. Using flow cytometric technology, platelet-bound IgG (PBIgG) were detected in 5 of the 6 dogs after experimental infection with E. canis over a period of 3-10 days post infection (PI). The first detection of PBIgG was made as early as day 3 PI in 2 out of 6 dogs, and on day 5 PI in 1 dog. On day 7 PI, PBIgG was detected in 2 dogs, and on day 10 PI in 3 out of 6 dogs. This is the first report documenting the presence of PBIgG following E. canis infection in dogs. This finding further supports the theory that the thrombocytopenia seen in canine monocytic ehrlichiosis has an immunological component and that exposure to an infectious agent, in this case the rickettsia E. canis, can trigger autoimmune mechanisms. Due to the heterogeneous appearance of PBIgG among the infected dogs it was concluded that other non-immunological mechanisms are probably also involved in the pathogenesis of the thrombocytopenia seen in canine monocytic ehrlichiosis.