Genetic Diversity of Canine Babesia Species Prevalent in Pet Dogs of Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract

Canine babesiosis is a serious threat to dogs’ health worldwide, caused by the intra-erythrocytic Babesia species. The present study was carried out in pet dogs presented at three clinics of Lahore and one of Narowal in Punjab, Pakistan. Two hundred blood samples (50 from each clinic) were collected and screened by microscopy for Babesia spp. Out of 200 samples, 84 (42%) were found to be positive for babesiosis. The highest number of positive cases (50%) was recorded in dogs at Narowal clinic. Non-significant variation (p > 0.05) was observed in the prevalence of babesiosis in dogs in relation to sex and age. Positive samples were further confirmed by a polymerase chain reaction using 18S-rRNA genus-specific and species-specific primers. Amplicons were further analyzed by nucleotide sequencing for genetic diversity. Babesia canis and gibsoni were confirmed by genome sequencing in all diseased dogs. These isolates closely resembled each other, but differed from previous reported strains. In conclusion, pet dogs suffering from babesiosis were infected with B. canis and gibsoni, while in other countries, other Babesia species are also prevalent.

Babesia canis spp. in dogs in Baghdad Province, Iraq: First molecular identification and clinical and epidemiological study

“…The highest incidence of canine babesiosis was observed in April and June, which is similar to the results of Tayyub et al [33]. Furthermore, the highest number of positive cases occurred in spring and summer, likely because of increased exposure to ticks during these seasons [1] and warm and humid climate conditions favoring disease transmission by vectors [33].…”

Babesiosis: Current status and future perspectives in Pakistan and chemotherapy used in livestock and pet animals

“…Babesiosis can be diagnosed by microscopic detection technique including thin, thick, brain and hemolymph smear, serological technique including indirect flouroscent antibody test (IFAT), Competitive Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA), Immunochromatography (ICT), complement fixation test (CFT), and molecular techniques including DNA probes, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), nested PCR, Real-time PCR, Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) PCR, Reverse line blot hybridization (RLB), loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) The most common methods used for the diagnosis is thin blood smear technique and microscopic examination of the stage of Babesia parasite in the erythrocytes or blood and tissue fluid. Chronic stages of these diseases are challenging for the examination under microscope of invasively acquired specimen and treatment for these cases [ 32 , 33 ].…”

Canine Babesiosis Caused by Large Babesia Species: Global Prevalence and Risk Factors—A Review

“…However, a study from North America identified 18 cases of B. canis infection among 9367 blood and tissue samples from presumably symptomatic dogs, despite this part of the world being non-endemic for D. reticulatus ticks [5]. Similarly, B. canis infections in dogs have been recognized in other places where D. reticulatus ticks do not occur, including Finland, southern Italy (Campania region), northwestern Iran, the Punjab province in Pakistan, and the Henan province in China [52,173,176,177,182]. Moreover, high seroprevalence has been observed in kenneled dogs with unknown health status in southern Italy (Strait of Messina), which is also a nonendemic region for the parasite's vector [171].…”