Recent findings indicate that both Eperythrozoon and Haemobartonella may be more closely related to memebrs of the family Mycoplasmataceae than rickettsia. The organism occurs on RBCs only, with latent infections being common. The organism occurs as chains across the surface of the infected cell or as small dots, rods, or rings. Transmission is mainly be the brown dog tick with both transstadial and transovarial transmission occurring. Most naturally infected dogs do not develop clinical disease but when they do, it is usually associated with a developing anemia.
Diagnosis is based on microscopic identification of peripheral blood smears.
Treatment appear to be similar to that used for canine ehrlichiosis involving tetracycline, oxytetracycline, etc. Antibiotic therapy probably does not eliminate the organism completely from infected dogs. As noted above, this genus may be more closely related to the Mycoplasmataceae than rickettsia. Rickettsia rickettsii - Agent of Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Rocky Mountain spotted fever is a tickborne disease with a worldwide occurrence.