Early Diagnosis of Canine Ehrlichiosis by Hot Start PCR

Lakshmanan, B., John, L., Dhinakarraj, G. and Gomathinayagam, S. 2007. Early diagnosis of canine ehrlichiosis by hot start PCR. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 31: 11-12. The hot start PCR assay for the detection of 16S rRNA gene fragment of Ehrlichia from blood of dogs has been standardized for the first time in India. The genus-specific primers amplified a 477bp band of Ehrlichia sp. This protocol could detect the presence of Ehrlichia sp. one month after specific antibiotic therapy as well. Thus hot start PCR is a reliable and sensitive technique for this purpose.