Canine ehrlichiosis is caused by infection of white blood cells by a Rickettsia bacterium of the Ehrlichia genus, the most common of which is Ehrlichia canis. The disease's vector is the brown tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus).

Canine leishmaniasis is a disease caused by the proliferation in macrophages of a parasite called Leishmania infantum. The disease is transmitted by a small diptera: the sandfly.

These vector-borne diseases have an almost worldwide distribution which is linked to that of their vectors. In Europe, leishmaniasis and ehrlichiosis are widespread around the Mediterranean bassin, and co-infections are frequent.

Leishmaniasis and ehrlichiosis share strong clinical similarities, making differential diagnosis difficult. After infection, symptoms appear non-specific and are easily overlooked by the owner. Asymptomatic or subclinical phases are also frequent and often prolonged in both diseases. Sick dogs share a lot of symptoms: depression, weight loss, anemia, adenomegaly, etc.

Speed Duo Leish K/Ehrli can therefore be used to :

• Differentiate between Leishmania infantum and Ehrlichia canis infection in cases of clinical suspicion of vector-borne disease.
• In endemic areas, for regular screening of sub-clinical or potentially exposed animals
• Screening before vaccination

Given the potential coexistence of these two diseases and their clinical similarity, regular and systematic screening for leishmaniasis and ehrlichiosis is recommended: 

• In endemic areas, or when the presence of the vector is high in the environment, screening of potentially carrier animals before their introduction into the community, and implementation of appropriate sanitary measures.
• Prevent the risk of contamination during blood transfusions.  
• In the presence of variable symptoms such as depression, fever, haematological or joint disorders compatible with tick-borne disease

Diagnosis is sometimes difficult due to variable signs, and a combination of blood tests is often necessary to identify the disease.

1. Add 1 drop of sample into each sample well.

2. Add slowly 5 drops of reagent into each sample well. 

3. Read the result at 15 minutes.

Evaluation of Speed Duo LeishK/Ehrli performances compared to the reference méthod (ImmunoFluorescence Indirecte) :

(1) Martin C. - Les Ehrlichioses du chien, étude bibliographique, diagnostic et comparaison de trois kits de diagnostic serologique rapide de l’ehrlichiose monocytaire. Thèse Med Vet Lyon, 2004.

(2) DAVOUST P., PARZY B. Actualité des ehrlichioses. Bull.Soc.Vet.Prat.France., 1995, 79(4), 183-204

(3) DAVOUST P. et coll. : Ehrlichiose canine expérimentale. Etude clinique et thérapeutique. Rec. Med. Vet, 1991, 33-40