Babesia gibsoni Infection in Dogs—A European Perspective

Abstract

Canine babesiosis is a disease caused by infection with parasites of the genus Babesia. These protozoa are classified as either large (e.g., Babesia canis) or small (e.g., Babesia gibsoni). So far, only three small Babesia species of clinical importance, able to infect dogs, have been described: B. gibsoni, B. conradae, and B. vulpes. This review presents the current epidemiological situation of Babesia gibsoni infections in dogs in Europe. In most European countries where B. gibsoni has been reported, the percentage of infected dogs is around 1%. The higher prevalence of the B. gibsoni infection among American Pit Bull Terriers suggests breed susceptibility. An analysis of the available data makes it possible to conclude that B. gibsoni infections may appear in the future in other non-endemic regions of Europe, which may pose significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges for veterinary practitioners.

Detection of Babesia conradae in Coyotes (Canis latrans) and Coyote-Hunting Greyhound Dogs (Canis familiaris)

“…Infection with B. gibsoni in coyotes was demonstrated by an experimental study using captive raised coyotes, where they developed clinical signs similar to the ones observed in domestic dogs [14]. Previous knowledge regarding the modes of transmission of B. gibsoni could help in discovering possible routes of infection for B. conradae, such as blood transfusion, tick bite, vertical transmission, or animal-to-animal bite wounds [15][16][17][18]. Further steps that can help us acquire more information related to the life cycle of B. conradae involve evaluating the presence of the parasite in ticks in the area or developing an experimental model of infection in domestic dogs.…”

Arthropod-Borne Pathogens in Wild Canids

“…The parasite can be transmitted by blood transfusion and, B. gibsoni, through wounds in fighting dogs, following saliva and blood ingestion. Dogs are infected by several Babesia species, referred to as large ( B. canis , B. vogeli and B. rossi ) and small ( B. gibsoni , B. conradae and B. vulpes ), with different pathogenic features [ 179 ]. The involved species in Europe are B. vogeli , B. canis , B. gibsoni and B. vulpes.…”

Kanine Babesiose – Teil 1: Verbreitung, Übertragung, Symptome und Diagnostik

“…Kleine-Babesien-Spezies wurden in verschiedenen Ländern Europas diagnostiziert. Berichte von Infektionen mit B. gibsoni stammen vor allem aus Süd- und Osteuropa sowie einzelne klinische Fallberichte aus Deutschland 48 , 49 , wobei auch hier R. sanguineus neben Haemaphysalis ( H. longicornis ) als Zeckenvektor zugeordnet wird 50 .…”