Prognostic markers and their discriminant score in predicting the outcome of Babesia gibsoni infection

Abstract

Background: We aimed to identify prognostic markers and their discriminant score in predicting the lethal outcome of canine Babesia gibsoni. Methods: Blood samples were collected from 108 client‐owned dogs with clinical signs commensurate with babesiosis to analyze haematological, biochemical, haemostatic, antioxidant profile and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance levels. Samples were screened for Babesia infection (microscopic and molecular techniques). Babesiosis‐affected dogs were classified into survivors and non‐survivors, and 30 healthy dogs were used in the control group. Results: Haemoglobin, thrombocytes, catalase, urea, creatinine, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase, lactate and reticulocytes were highly correlated to survival. Receiver operating characteristics analysis revealed urea, ALT and lactate as specific prognostic markers for the disease. The formula for calculation of discriminant scores (Di) for lethal outcome of the disease was generated with cut‐off score 0.141. The scoring system was 79% sensitive and 83% specific in predicting the lethal outcome of the disease. Conclusions: A scoring system developed from the prognosticating markers may aid in predicting the outcome of Babesia gibsoni infection on the day of presentation itself enabling intensive care for those animals with a cut‐off score more than 0.141.

The Diverse Pathogenicity of Various Babesia Parasite Species That Infect Dogs

“…Most cases reported as subclinical or only mildly affected [37]. No dogs in an experimental infection died [57]. One of 11 dogs in a case series died [38].…”

“…vogeli infected dogs died. None of the dogs with B. vogeli infection alone died [57]. In an experimental infection study, 2 of 9 infected dogs died [32] Can cause significant mortality with between 25 and 40% of naturally infected dogs dying or being euthanized because of severe illness in two separate studies [50,51].…”

“…Acute lung injury (ALI) is common with all dogs that died in one study demonstrating it [82] The liver the second most common organ showing biochemical evidence of injury [56]. Icterus is also reported in 80% (39/49) of infected dogs although this does not appear to correlate with outcome [30] Evidence of liver injury is described [31,57]. Icterus is common in with the incidence ranging from 14-25% of cases [31] Icterus and hyperbilirubinemia has been reported however elevated liver enzyme activity appears to be rare [9,35].…”

“…There is one report of a small number dogs in which hyperlactatemia was associated with a poor outcome [57].…”

“…Hyperbilirubinemia and icterus are likely to have prehepatic and post-hepatic mechanisms due to the profound hemolytic anemia and hepatosis resulting from infection. The liver was the single most common organ showing biochemical evidence of injury in B. rossi [55] and the second most common organ affected in B. canis [56] and B. gibsoni infections [31,57]. Only 1/11 dogs presenting with B. vogeli was icteric [38].…”