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Microscopic
demonstration of typical intracytoplasmic E. canis morulas in
monocytes is seen during the acute stage of the disease in about 4% of cases
and is diagnostic of the disease. Therefore, blood and buffy-coat smears
should be carefully evaluated. Other methods used mainly for research
purposes are culturing the parasite, PCR and Western immunobloting.
A study comparing PCR, culturing the parasite, IFA and
Western blot in the early detection of the parasite has shown that cell
culture reisolation methods proved to be the most sensitive and definitive
for early diagnosis of ehrlichiosis. However, it is not a convenient method
as it requires 14-34 days to obtain positive results.
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