Determination of Ehrlichia canis in the city of Iquique, Chile

A study was carried out to determine the presence of Ehrlichia canis, a gram-negative and obligate intracellular bacterium, which plays a zoonotic role in public health, as it is transmitted by Rhipicephalus sanguineus "brown dog tick" that bites and occasionally infects humans. A total of 49 blood samples were obtained randomly from dogs without considering breed, sex or age; 32 of the samples were obtained in the Municipal Kennel of Iquique, while the other 17 were obtained in veterinary clinics Zoomundo, Veterinaria Iquique and Central Veterinaria of the city of Iquique, such samples were analyzed with an immunochromatographic kit and after such analysis 3 dogs were observed positive to Ehrlichia canis, therefore it is concluded that Ehrlichia canis is present in the city of Iquique.