Prevalence of Babesia spp. and clinical characteristics of Babesia vulpes infections in North American dogs

Abstract

Background Babesiosis is an important cause of thrombocytopenia and hemolytic anemia in dogs. Babesia vulpes, reported in European dogs and North American foxes, rarely has been reported in domestic North American dogs. Newly optimized polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers facilitate more sensitive amplification of B. vulpes DNA. Objectives To determine the prevalence of Babesia sp. infections in dogs being tested for Babesia infection, and to describe co‐infections and clinicopathologic abnormalities in B. vulpes positive dogs. Animals Dog blood or tissue samples (n = 9367) submitted to a diagnostic laboratory between June 2015 and June 2018 were tested using an optimized Babesia PCR assay. Methods Comprehensive canine vector‐borne disease diagnostic testing was performed on convenience samples. Results Babesia sp. DNA was amplified from 269/9367 (2.9%) North American dogs. Babesia sp. infections included B. gibsoni monoinfection (157; 1.7%), B. vulpes monoinfection (19; 0.20%), and B. gibsoni and B. vulpes coinfection (29; 0.31%). Forty‐three of the 48 total B. vulpes‐infected dogs were American Pit Bull Terrier‐type breeds, of which 36 historically were involved with dog fights. Coinfections with Mycoplasma, Dirofilaria immitis, or Wolbachia and coexposures to Bartonella, Ehrlichia, and Rickettsia spp. were documented in B. vulpes‐infected dogs. Clinicopathologic data in B. vulpes‐infected dogs both with and without coinfections included anemia, thrombocytopenia, hyperglobulinemia, hypoalbuminemia, and proteinuria. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Babesia vulpes infection in domestic North American dogs is commonly found in conjunction with other coinfections, including B. gibsoni and hemotropic Mycoplasma. Similar to B. gibsoni, dog‐to‐dog transmission of B. vulpes may be a frequent mode of transmission.

Exposure to Major Vector-Borne Diseases in Dogs Subjected to Different Preventative Regimens in Endemic Areas of Italy

“…Canine vector-borne diseases (CVBDs) are caused by several pathogens (parasites, bacteria and viruses) transmitted by ectoparasites, namely ticks, fleas, mosquitoes and sand flies [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]. These pathogens represent a threat for human and animal health throughout continents [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ].…”

Survey and Molecular Study of Babesia gibsoni in Dogs of Baghdad Province, Iraq

“…Epidemiological approaches of B. gibsoni in dogs, the infection rate of B. gibsoni in dogs was 2.9% which was the nearest to what Davitkov et al (14) found in selected symptomatic dogs of 3.3% percentage in deference to the present study where randomly dogs were selected. Another study in North American (28) identified Babesia spp. in 269 out of 9345 total dogs (2.9%); and 186 out of 9345 dogs (2%) infected by B. gibsoni.…”

“…Babesia infected dogs of some reports were noted ticks free at the time of samples collection which may be presented other routes of transmission as transplacental or directly by the wounds (9). Another study included a history of dog fights with Babesia gibsoni (28) and the incidence of disease among months depended on climate conditions, control management as a used insecticide and ticks seasons activity especially warm or humid periods through the year (3, 14 and 15) and dogs were infected by ticks in Iraq which showed the lowest rate 7.69% in winter (31).…”

Babesiosis and Theileriosis in North America

“…In NA, canine babesiosis is caused by B. gibsoni, B. vogeli, B. conradae, and B. vulpes [1,17]. B. gibsoni and B. vogeli are the most common species that affect dogs in the US [15,59].…”