한국으로 이주한 3년령의 암컷 핏불테리어가 엘리키아 증으로 진단되었다. 혈액검사상 중등도의 빈혈, 미약한 혈소판감소증과 고단백혈증, 고글로불린혈증을 보였다. 혈청검사에서 엘리키아 키트에 양성이었으며, 면역형광 항체법에 의한 항체가는 1:10240 이었다. 백혈구 연층 도말상에서는 엘리키아 감염체가 관찰되지 않았고 말초혈액을 이용하여 PCR 검사를 하였으나 음성이었다. 환자는 doxycycline에 잘 반응하였으며 치료 후 건강을 회복하였다.
3-year-old female Pitbull terrier dog that had been moved to Republic of Korea was diagnosed with Ehrlichia canis infection. Abnormal findings on a complete blood count (CBC) and serum chemistry profile were moderate anemia, mild thrombocytopenia, hyperproteinemia and hyperglobulinemia. Serologic screening test by a commercial ELISA kit for Ehrlichia canis was positive, and serum antibody titer was markedly high (> 1 : 10240). The morula of Ehrlichia organisms was not detected in buffy coat blood smears. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was done using the peripheral blood and the result was negative. Based on the serologic test results and the clinical signs, the dog was diagnosed as ehrlichiosis. The dog responded well to doxycycline and was uneventfully recovered.
