M. Gianfrancesco Filippi1; A. Alfonso1; A.C. Paes2; M. Gomes de Soutello Charlier3; E. Oba3; F Ferreira de Souza3; R. Kiomi Takahira1; S. Biagio Chiacchio1; M.L. Gomes Lourenço1
Introduction
Canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (CME) is a prevalent systemic disease worldwide that causes lesions due to direct agent injury and secondary autoimmune lesions in the dog. It is known the occurrence of myocarditis in this cases.
Objectives
The present study analyzed the clinical, haematological, biochemistry and analysis of cardiac biomarkes data, creatinokinase-MB (CKMB), cardiac troponina I (cTNI) and N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT proBNP) in infected dogs on the chronic phase of CME.
Methods
It was used 20 naturally infected dogs on the chronic phase of CME at the initial attendance (G1) and a followup of 28 days (G2) was made. This data was compared with a control group of ten healthy animals.
Results
Eight of the 20 dogs (40%) died after 28 day monitoring. Anorexia, emesis, fatigue, heart murmur, hypoalbuminemia, heart murmurs and raise of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (AP) were common signs encountered. Fatigue was statistic predictor of mortality. The mean concentration of cTNI and CKMB was significant (0.24 ng/ml±0.5; 229±205 IU/ml) compared to the control group (0.042±0.07 ng/ml;126±46.12 IU/ml ). No differences were found between the concentration of NT-proBNP on G1 (135.46±29.7) and G2 (138.28±19.77).
Conclusions
This data suggest that chronic EMC causes persistent myocardial injury, with no signs of pressure/volume overload. Fatigue demonstrated a possible risk factor for survival.