Identification of Ehrlichia canis in East Africa

Ehrlichia canis, the causative agent of canine ehrlichiosis or tropical canine pancytopaenia (TCP) has been identified in Kenya. Transmission studies to two dogs resulted in signs of ehrlichiosis including marked thrombocytopaenia, pyrexia, reduction in the packed cell volume and the presence of E canis in peripheral blood mononuclear cells.