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Updated: Aug 16, 2026
In Vitro Canine Neutrophil Extracellular Trap Formation: Dynamic and Quantitative Analysis by Fluorescence Microscopy
Published on: August 24, 2018
Evaluation of neutrophil oxidative metabolism in canine monocytic ehrlichiosis
Marcia Y Hasegawa1, Aguemi Kohayagawa, Leonardo P Brandão
1College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil. myhasegawa@usp.br
Background:
Canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (CME) is a tick-borne disease caused by Ehrlichia canis, a rickettsia that infects the monocytes of dogs. This infection can result in a chronic and life-threatening disease. Thrombocytopenia, mild anemia, and leukopenia are the most common hematologic findings in CME.
Objective:
To investigate the role of peripheral blood neutrophils in CME, an evaluation was conducted of their functional state during the acute phase of the disease in dogs experimentally infected by E canis.
Methods:
Seven dogs were inoculated with E canis, and 3 remained as uninfected controls. All dogs had physical exams and hematologic tests (CBC and nitroblue tetrazolium [NBT] reduction) during a 6-week period.
Results:
There was no difference (P > .05) in spontaneous NBT reduction results between the 2 groups of dogs throughout the 6-week period of observation. Nevertheless, when stimulated, the neutrophils showed higher activity in the infected group (P = .01) on weeks 4 and 5 after infection.
Conclusion:
Infection by E canis has no influence on neutrophil oxidative metabolism even though during the remission period of the acute phase of the disease, the neutrophils seem to be more reactive under stimulation.
