Questing Dermacentor reticulatus harbouring Babesia canis DNA associated with outbreaks of canine babesiosis in the Swiss Midlands

Canine babesiosis is a tick-borne disease caused by infection with protozoa of the genus Babesia. During over 20 years of studies on canine babesiosis at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the Warsaw University of Life Sciences, the researchers have identified the species of the parasite and its vector in Poland, determined the cause of azotemia and observed other pathological changes, such as endocrine disorders, changes in the de Ritis quotient, as well as biochemical and hematological changes. It was shown that the tick Dermacentor reticulatus is the only vector of canine babesiosis in Poland and the disease is caused by Babesia canis (formerly known as Babesia canis canis). The first studies of pathological changes confirmed the results of previous research in other countries, in which the most prevalent changes in canine babesiosis were thrombocytopenia, anemia leucopenia, increased activity of liver enzymes (ALT, AST, ALP), azotemia, hypoalbuminemia, hypoglycemia, hyponatremia and hypokalemia. Research on azotemia in dogs infected with B. canis showed the contribution of TNF-α overproduction to hypotension and its influence on renal ischemia, hypoxia and the development of azotemia. Moreover, in research on endocrine disorders in canine babesiosis, it was shown that IL-6 overproduction leads to the suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis resulting in euthyroid sick syndrome, and that secondary hyperaldosteronism results from decreased renal blood flow and leads to hypokalemia. The results of the research were published in 27 original papers, 6 case reports and many review articles in veterinary journals. These studies provided veterinary surgeons in Poland with improved procedures for diagnosing canine babesiosis, as well as allowed them to better understand some pathogenic mechanisms of the disease and to develop more efficacious therapies..

Download Full-text

Epizootiological Study of the Occurrence of Canine Babesiosisin Southwestern Slovakia

Folia Veterinaria ◽

10.1515/fv-2016-0027 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 60 (3) ◽

pp. 39-42

Author(s):

K. Řeháčková ◽

M. Haláková ◽

B. Víchová ◽

A. Kočišová

Keyword(s):

Ixodes Ricinus ◽

Clinical Signs ◽

Dermacentor Reticulatus ◽

Babesia Canis ◽

Molecular Method ◽

Canine Babesiosis ◽

Blood Smears ◽

Loss Of Appetite ◽

Representative Samples

Abstract This epizootiological study was carried out to investigate the occurrence of canine babesiosis in southwestern Slovakia. The study focused on the proportion of the species of ticks serving as babesia vectors of babesiosis in the ticks collected from selected locations close to Komárno, in southwestern Slovakia. Additionally, observations were made on the health and overall clinical signs in dogs suspected of having babesiosis. In 2014 we collected ticks from vegetation by the drag cloth (flagging) method and also directly from dogs. A totally of 622 ticks were collected: 491 Dermacentor reticulatus and 131 Ix-odes ricinus. Representative samples of ticks (n = 103) were examined by the molecular method and the presence of Babesia spp. DNA was identified in 12.5 % of the Ixodes ricinus ticks collected by flagging and in 9.5 % of the Ixodes ricinus ticks collected from the dogs. Babesia canis (KU681325) with 90 bp sequence, 100 % identical with Babesia canis isolates from dogs for example from: Turkey (KF499115), Rumania (HQ662634), Croatia (FJ209025), Poland (EU622792) and Russia (AY962186), was confirmed after sequencing in one Ixodes ricinus female obtained from a dog. This was the first confirmation of the occurrence of B. canis in Ixodes ricinus ticks in Slovakia. In 2.2 % of the Dermacentor reticulatus ticks obtained from vegetation by flagging, we were able to diagnose the DNA of Babesia canis. In 4.8 % of the Dermacentor reticulatus ticks collected from dogs, the presence of Babesia spp. was confirmed. Thirty three dogs with suspicion of babesiosis were observed in an ambulance by their health and clinical signs. The loss of appetite was observed in 22 patients (66.7 %), apathy in 19 cases (57.6 %), and fever in 19 cases. Closer specification indicating babesiosis was finding engorged ticks on the dog bodies which occurred in 21 cases (63.6 %), haematuria in 8 cases (24.2 %), anaemia in 4 cases (12.1 %), and tremor in 6 cases (18.2 %). Other non-specific signs, such as diarrhoea, vomitus, slowed-down movement, ataxia and lacrimation were also observed in less than 18 % of the examined dogs. On the basis of the specific clinical signs, blood was withdrawn from 33 dogs for preparation of blood smears and in 19 of them (57.6 %) babesia in erythrocytes were confirmed microscopically.

Download Full-text

Molecular detection of Babesia canis in Dermacentor reticulatus ticks collected in Slovakia

Biologia ◽

10.2478/s11756-006-0035-7 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 61 (2) ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Darja Duh ◽

Mirko Slovák ◽

Ana Saksida ◽

Katja Strašek ◽

Miroslav Petrovec ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Francisella Tularensis ◽

Coxiella Burnetii ◽

Molecular Detection ◽

Vector Competence ◽

Dermacentor Reticulatus ◽

Molecular Evidence ◽

Babesia Canis ◽

Aetiological Agent ◽

Canine Babesiosis ◽

Babesia Canis Canis

AbstractDermacentor reticulatus ticks are recognized as the most important vectors of Babesia canis, the aetiological agent of canine babesiosis occurring throughout Europe. Vector competence of D. reticulatus for B. canis is well described and experimentally determined; however, by using molecular analysis it was proven so by one recent study in Russia. Herein, the additional molecular evidence of B. canis infection in D. reticulatus ticks collected in Slovakia is provided. Using PCR followed by sequencing of distinctive amplicons we determined the presence of Babesia canis canis in one of 100 tested adult ticks. Two zoonotic pathogens, Francisella tularensis and Coxiella burnetii, were previously isolated from D. reticulatus ticks in Slovakia. In our samples, we detected only the presence of F. tularensis.

Download Full-text

Comparative preventive efficacy of oral systemic vs. topical repellent ectoparasiticides against early Babesia canis transmission in dogs within 8 h of infestation by pre-fed male Dermacentor reticulatus

International Journal of Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1016/j.ijid.2018.04.4297 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 73 ◽

pp. 390

Author(s):

M. Varloud ◽

J. Liebenberg ◽

J.J. Fourie

Keyword(s):

Dermacentor Reticulatus ◽

Babesia Canis ◽

Preventive Efficacy

Download Full-text

A presumptive case of cerebral babesiosis in a dog in Poland caused by a virulent Babesia canis strain

Tierärztliche Praxis Ausgabe K Kleintiere / Heimtiere ◽

10.1055/s-0038-1623660 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 40 (05) ◽

pp. 367-371

Author(s):

M Górna ◽

P. Klimiuk ◽

M Kalinowski ◽

S. Winiarczyk ◽

L. Adaszek

Keyword(s):

Blood Cells ◽

Babesia Canis ◽

Canine Babesiosis ◽

Neurological Signs ◽

Tick Activity ◽

First Case ◽

Blood Smears ◽

Pcr Method ◽

The Brain ◽

Activity Season

SummaryThe aim of this paper was to present the first case of cerebral canine babesiosis due to infection by Babesia canis in a dog in Poland. A 5-year-old American Staffordshire Terrier was presented with an unusual clinical manifestation of acute babesiosis that included neurological signs and pancytopenia. Despite treatment the dog died. Diagnosis was based on microscopic examination of Giemsa-stained blood smears (detection of piroplasms in red blood cells) and post mortem examination of the brain by histopathology and PCR method. The amplified segment of the Babesia 18S RNA gene was sequenced. This enabled to determine that the cause of the disease had been the strain 18S RNA-B EU622793. This is one of two B. canis strains found endemically in Poland, which reveals a greater virulence than the strain 18S RNA-A EU622792. The described case indicates that this form of canine babesiosis should be taken into account in differential diagnosis in dogs exhibiting neurological symptoms, especially in the tick activity season.

Download Full-text

Contribution to canine babesiosis in the Czech Republic

Acta Veterinaria Brno ◽

10.2754/avb201281020091 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 81 (2) ◽

pp. 91-95 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Jarmila Konvalinová ◽

Ivo Rudolf ◽

Silvie Šikutová ◽

Zdeněk Hubálek ◽

Vlasta Svobodová ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Czech Republic ◽

Dermacentor Reticulatus ◽

Igg Antibodies ◽

Canine Babesiosis ◽

The Czech Republic ◽

Negative Results ◽

Working Dogs ◽

Specific Igg ◽

Polymerase Chain ◽

Specific Igg Antibodies

From March to November 2010, a total of 68 samples of blood from 41 hunting and working dogs that never left the Czech Republic were examined. Some dogs were sampled repeatedly. Blood samples were examined by polymerase chain reaction for the presence of DNA of piroplasms with negative results. Specific IgG antibodies against Babesia canis were detected by indirect immunofluorescence test, and five dogs (12.21%) were seropositive. Titres ranged from 50 to 200. One dog was positive in two samplings within 3 months. The highest number of positive samples was taken in June. The results of this study suggest a likely contact of the examined dogs with the parasite; although in 2005, a total of 340 adult unfed Dermacentor reticulatus ticks in 34 pools screened by PCR for babesiae were negative.

Download Full-text

Canine babesiosis – a disease rarely considered in the context of male infertility

Irish Veterinary Journal ◽

10.1186/s13620-020-00174-y ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 73 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Anna Domosławska ◽

Sławomir Zdunczyk

Keyword(s):

Vitamin E ◽

Semen Quality ◽

Sperm Quality ◽

Babesia Canis ◽

Canine Babesiosis ◽

Case Presentation ◽

The Past ◽

Fertility Problems ◽

The Impact ◽

Treatment Of Infection

Abstract Background Little is known about the impact of babesiosis on semen quality and fertility in dogs. Case presentation Four cases of infertility in male dogs after infection with Babesia canis are described. In all dogs sperm quality was low. Two dogs were castrated pharmacologically or surgically. In two dogs fertility was restored after supplementation with selenium and Vitamin E. As possible causes of spermatogenesis disorders due to the treatment of infection with Babesia canis with imidocarb, fever and disturbed testicular microcirculation are discussed. Conclusions These cases indicate that if males have fertility problems, question about babesiosis infection in the past should be a permanent point in the clinical interview.

Download Full-text

Association between decreased blood pressure and azotaemia in canine babesiosis

Polish Journal of Veterinary Sciences ◽

10.2478/pjvs-2014-0024 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

pp. 173-175 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

W. Zygner ◽

O. Gójska-Zygner

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Mean Arterial Pressure ◽

Arterial Pressure ◽

Serum Creatinine ◽

Renal Damage ◽

Systolic Arterial Pressure ◽

Babesia Canis ◽

Canine Babesiosis ◽

Tubular Necrosis ◽

Blood Pressures

Abstract Acute tubular necrosis (ATN) was described in canine babesiosis. Hypotension is considered as one of the factors which influence the development of hypoxic renal damage. In this study hypotension defined as mean arterial pressure (MAP) < 80 mmHg was detected in 7 out of 48 dogs (14.6%) infected with Babesia canis. Lower systolic arterial pressure (SAP), diastolic arterial pressure (DAP) and MAP were detected in azotaemic dogs infected with B. canis. Statistically significant negative correlations between blood pressures (SAP, DAP and MAP) and serum creatinine and urea concentrations showed the influence of decreased blood pressure on the development of azotaemia and is probably also associated with ATN in canine babesiosis.

Download Full-text