Evaluation of Diagnostic Tests for Canine Ehrlichiosis in Latin America: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (2010–2025)

Canine ehrlichiosis is a disease caused by Gram-negative, obligate intracellular bacteria, primarily transmitted by the tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Vieira et al., 2011). Ehrlichia canis infection can occur in dogs regardless of sex or age; however, some studies suggest a predisposition in certain breeds, as well as greater susceptibility in immunocompromised individuals, such as puppies and geriatric animals (Jane E. Sykes, 2023). This systematic review aims to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of the main tests used for the diagnosis of E. canis in dogs, based on studies that adopt a reference standard. To date, there are no published systematic reviews on the diagnostic accuracy of this disease, particularly in the context of Latin America. This systematic review will follow the PRISMA-DTA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses of Diagnostic Test Accuracy Studies) guidelines (McInnes et al., 2018; Salameh et al., 2020), with a focus on diagnostic accuracy studies. The eligibility criteria were defined based on the PICOS framework (Population, Index test, Comparator, Outcome, Study design). The search will cover studies addressing diagnostic methods for canine ehrlichiosis in Latin American populations. Reviewers will conduct a systematic search in relevant databases. Study selection, screening, and data extraction will be performed using the Rayyan QCRI tool. The methodological quality of the included studies will be assessed using the QUADAS-2 (Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies) tool, as recommended for systematic reviews of diagnostic accuracy(Whiting et al., 2011). Extracted data will be analyzed and synthesized descriptively, aiming to map existing evidence and highlight gaps in the literature. The results will be presented through infographics, tables, and charts to facilitate visualization of the findings.