Canine Babesiosis: Where Do We Stand?

Abstract

Canine babesiosis is a tick-borne disease caused by protozoal haemoparasites of different Babesia species. Babesiosis is one of the most important globally extended and quickly spreading tick-borne infections of dogs. This comprehensive review gives an in-depth overview of Babesia species currently identifi ed in dogs together with relevant vector tick species and their geographical distribution, life cycle and transmission of parasite. The main mechanisms in the pathogenesis of babesiosis are described and elucidated by recent literature overview. As Babesia infection causes a disease with very variable clinical manifestations, special attention is given to clinical signs, laboratory features and clinicopathological fi ndings. The diagnosis of canine babesiosis by microscopy, serological and molecular methods is reviewed, together with recent advances in mass spectrometry based assays. Accurate detection and species recognition are important for the selection of the appropriate therapy, monitoring and prediction of the outcome of the disease. Finally, guidelines for the treatment and prevention of canine babesiosis are given.

Спленомегалія Як Ускладнення, Спричинене Бабезіозом У Собак

“…Ми погоджуємся з думкою [17], що зміни в селезінці виникають внаслідок хронізації бабезіозу. При цьому збудники хвороби депонуються у паренхіматозних структурах селезінки (й інших лімфоїдних органах) і стають недосяжними для лікарських засобів [7,10]. Будь-який патогенний стимул, як то: запальні процеси, стрес-реакції тощо, може призвести до реакцій організму, пов'язаних з мобілізацією функцій цих органів.…”

Occurrence of Babesia vogeli, Mycoplasma spp., Ehrlichia canis and Anaplasma spp. in a hospital dog population of western Paraná

“…Canine babesiosis can be caused by Babesia canis, Babesia vogeli, Babesia Rossi, Babesia caballi, Babesia gibsoni, Babesia conradae and Babesia microti-like sp. (Bilic, Kules, Bariac, & Mrljak, 2018). In Brazil, molecular identification of both B. vogeli (Passos, Geiger, Ribeiro, Pfister, & Zahler-Rinder, 2005) and B. gibsoni (Trapp et al, 2006) has already been reported.…”

Molecular evaluation of piroplasms and hematological changes in canine blood stored in a clinical laboratory in Niterói, Rio de Janeiro

“…These protozoa are transmitted to mammals through the blood meal of infected ticks. In general, the genus Babesia stands out in the group of piroplasms that infect dogs (Bilić et al, 2018). Initially, these species were classified according to its morphology in erythrocytes in "large" (2.5-5.0 µm long) and "small" (1.0-2.5 µm long) forms being recognized as B. canis and B. gibsoni, respectively (Laha et al, 2015).…”

“…With the advent of molecular phylogenetic analysis, in particular that of the 18S rRNA gene, it was recognized that the subspecies are in fact distinct species, mainly B. rossi, B. canis, and B. vogeli (Irwin, 2009;Köster et al, 2015;Bilić et al, 2018). Babesia canis is endemic in Europe but has been reported sporadically around the world, B. rossi is endemic in South Africa and B. vogeli is found worldwide.…”

“…The clinical and pathological changes that occur in infected dogs differ between Babesia species. Once they have been infected, these animals may show signs of anemia and lethargy, and in the most severe cases, multiple organ dysfunction (Bilić et al, 2018). Subclinical infections are common in adult dogs infected with B. vogeli, but puppies tend to present with marked anemia (Schoeman, 2009;Bilić et al, 2018).…”