Don’t let sleeping dogs lie: unravelling the identity and taxonomy of Babesia canis, Babesia rossi and Babesia vogeli

Abstract The genus Babesia has more than 100 species that are transmitted by ticks with some being zoonotic. They can infect humans, livestock, and wildlife. Although canine babesiosis occurs locally, published studies on the species involved are limited. Babesia parasites cause severe disease in dogs which can be fatal. Drawbacks of the current control methods necessitate vaccine development. The study objective was to identify the Babesia species infecting dogs from three Kenyan counties; Nairobi, Mombasa, Nakuru and determine their phylogenetic relationship. This will enable improved control and rule out zoonotic potential. The study period was October 2018 to November 2019.The study design was descriptive and sampling opportunistic. One hundred and forty-three dogs were sampled. From whole blood, total DNA was extracted using the TanBead extractor followed by PCR amplification targeting Babesia 18S rRNA. Positive samples were purified and sequenced using the Sanger Dideoxy method.CLC Genomics Workbench, GenBank™ and BLASTn™ on NCBI were used for sequence processing and analysis. Geneious prime™ was used for multiple sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis. The overall prevalence of Babesia canis was 9.0% (95% CI: 4.37–13.81). Two out of 13 positive samples (2/13) were identified as Babesia canis vogeli, with a prevalence of 1.4% (95% CI: 1.38–14.2, n = 143) while 11/13 were identified as Babesia canis rossi, with a prevalence of 7.69% (95% CI: 3.3–12, n = 143). The Babesia rossi sequences identified were closely related to sequences from black-backed jackals, while the Babesia vogeli ones were related to sequences from a pet cat in China. Babesia rossi which causes severe canine babesiosis was identified in 84.6% of the positive samples, immediate and aggressive clinical intervention is necessary. The possible sylvatic cycle of Babesia rossi and low levels of infections by Babesia vogeli should inform pertinent control measures.

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Canine babesiosis in Romania due to Babesia canis and Babesia vogeli: a molecular approach

Parasitology Research ◽

10.1007/s00436-011-2683-y ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 110 (5) ◽

pp. 1659-1664 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

Mariana Ionita ◽

Ioan Liviu Mitrea ◽

Kurt Pfister ◽

Dietmar Hamel ◽

Catalin Marius Buzatu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Babesia Canis ◽

Molecular Approach ◽

Canine Babesiosis ◽

Babesia Vogeli

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Babesia canis and Babesia rossi co-infection in an untraveled Nigerian dog

Veterinary Parasitology ◽

10.1016/j.vetpar.2010.06.040 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 173 (3-4) ◽

pp. 334-335 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Joshua Kamani ◽

Abdulrahim Sannusi ◽

A. Goni Dogo ◽

James T. Tanko ◽

Kinsley O. Egwu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Babesia Canis ◽

Babesia Rossi

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Occurrence of Babesia Species and Co-Infection with Hepatozoon canis in Symptomatic Dogs and in Their Ticks in Eastern Romania

Pathogens ◽

10.3390/pathogens10101339 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (10) ◽

pp. 1339

Author(s):

Lavinia Ciuca ◽

Gabriela Martinescu ◽

Liviu Dan Miron ◽

Constantin Roman ◽

Dumitru Acatrinei ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Vector Competence ◽

Rhipicephalus Sanguineus ◽

Dermacentor Reticulatus ◽

Babesia Microti ◽

Hepatozoon Canis ◽

Babesia Species ◽

Lack Of Information ◽

Babesia Vogeli ◽

Babesia Rossi ◽

Group 3

Although the distribution of Babesia spp. and Hepatozoon canis is well known in Romania, there is still a marked lack of information in many places of the country. This study aimed to investigate the occurrence of these haemoparasites in symptomatic dogs and in their ticks in Iasi, eastern Romania. Ninety owned dogs were subjected to clinical examination at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Iasi and all detectable ticks (58 ticks from 15 dogs) were collected. Additionally, 124 ticks collected from the coat of other dogs (no. = 23) were included. Three Babesia species were found in dogs: Babesia canis (94.4%), Babesia vogeli (3.3%), and Babesia rossi (2.2%). All the dogs resulted negative for H. canis. The ticks were identified as follows: Ixodes ricinus (64%), Dermacentor reticulatus (33%), and Rhipicephalus sanguineus group (3%). B. canis (Minimum Infection Rate; MIR = 81%), B. vogeli (MIR = 3%), and Babesia microti-like piroplasm (MIR = 1%) were found in ticks. Moreover, 15 ticks were positive for H. canis, 6 were co-infected with B. canis, and 1 with B. microti-like piroplasm. This is the first molecular identification of B. rossi in two symptomatic dogs from Romania, although further studies are needed to investigate the vector competence of other ticks from Europe.

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Development and validation of a multiplex, real-time PCR assay for Babesia rossi and Babesia vogeli

Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases ◽

10.1016/j.ttbdis.2018.12.004 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 421-432 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Milana Troskie ◽

Lourens de Villiers ◽

Andrew Leisewitz ◽

Marinda C. Oosthuizen ◽

Melvyn Quan

Keyword(s):

Real Time ◽

Real Time Pcr ◽

Pcr Assay ◽

Babesia Vogeli ◽

Babesia Rossi ◽

Development And Validation

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Confirmation of occurrence of Babesia vogeli in a dog in Windhoek, central Namibia

Journal of the South African Veterinary Association ◽

10.4102/jsava.v87i1.1427 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 87 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Barend L. Penzhorn ◽

Ilse Vorster ◽

Gernot Redecker ◽

Marinda C. Oosthuizen

Keyword(s):

Rhipicephalus Sanguineus ◽

18S Rrna Gene ◽

Rrna Gene ◽

Babesia Vogeli ◽

Rhipicephalus Sanguineus Sensu Lato ◽

Babesia Rossi ◽

Haemaphysalis Elliptica ◽

Blot Hybridisation ◽

Polymerase Chain ◽

Babesia Spp

Although there is evidence of high seroprevalence of antibodies to Babesia spp. in dogs in central Namibia, clinical babesiosis is rarely diagnosed. Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato, the vector of Babesia vogeli, is common in Namibia while Haemaphysalis elliptica, the vector of the highly virulent but morphologically indistinguishable Babesia rossi, has rarely been recorded, mainly in northern Namibia. On the basis of vector occurrence, clinical cases of canine babesiosis in Windhoek, central Namibia, have been ascribed to B. vogeli. DNA extracted from a blood smear made from a sick dog was subjected to the reverse line blot hybridisation assay. The polymerase chain reaction amplicons hybridised with the B. vogeli–specific probe, but not with the Babesia canis– and B. rossi–specific probes. Although attempts at cloning and sequencing of the full-length 18S rRNA gene were unsuccessful, we can confirm that B. vogeli occurs in central Namibia.

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A new PCR assay for the detection and differentiation of Babesia canis and Babesia vogeli

Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases ◽

10.1016/j.ttbdis.2017.07.002 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 8 (6) ◽

pp. 862-865 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Giada Annoscia ◽

Maria Stefania Latrofa ◽

Cinzia Cantacessi ◽

Emanuela Olivieri ◽

Maria Teresa Manfredi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Babesia Canis ◽

Pcr Assay ◽

Babesia Vogeli

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Genetic Detection and Phylogenetic Relationship of Babesia Species Infecting Domestic Dogs from Select Regions in Kenya

10.21203/rs.3.rs-95605/v2 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Ismail Thoya Ngoka ◽

Kevin Mbogo ◽

Martina Kyallo ◽

David Obiero ◽

Roger Pelle

Keyword(s):

Confidence Interval ◽

Management Practices ◽

Severe Disease ◽

Bioinformatic Analysis ◽

Medical Intervention ◽

Current Control ◽

Control Measures ◽

Babesia Canis ◽

Babesia Rossi

Abstract The Babesia genus has more than 100 species which are transmitted by ticks and infects humans, livestock and wildlife, some of which are zoonotic. New species continue being discovered which are poorly characterized. Locally, Babesia species occur in wildlife and livestock. Published literature on the species infecting dogs is limited.Local management practices enable close interaction between wildlife, livestock and humans. The societal role of dogs enable them serve as conduits for pathogens.Canine babesiosis causes a severe disease in dogs which can be fatal. Treatment required is lengthy and expensive. Current control methods rely on acaricide use. A vaccine against the disease is needed. Genetic characterization of local canine Babesia species would lay foundations for such development and assess any zoonotic potential.Molecular and bioinformatic methods i.e. DNA extraction (143 dogs sampled), PCR, sequencing and bioinformatic analysis were used in the study.13 samples were positive for Babesia canis; prevalence 9.0%, 95% confidence interval, (0.0437 to 0.1381).From the 13 positive samples, 2 were identified as Babesia canis vogeli; prevalence 1.4%, 95% confidence interval, (0.0138 to 0.142).While 11 were identified as Babesia canis rossi; prevalence 7.69%, 95% confidence interval, (0.033 to 0.12).Babesia rossi and Babesia vogeli were 84.6% and 15.4% of cases respectively. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the Kenyan B.rossi sequences to be closely related to B.rossi sequences from black-backed jackals. The B.vogeli sequences were closely related to a B.vogeli sequence obtained from a pet cat in China.Babesia rossi is known to cause the most severe form of canine babesiosis, 84.6% of the cases were positive for this parasite which requires immediate and aggressive medical intervention. The role of wildlife in the maintenance of the parasites especially B.rossi was noted, control measures would of necessity have to incorporate this component of the parasite lifecycle.

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The Mechanism of Erythroblast Denucleation

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100060258 ◽

1967 ◽

Vol 25 ◽

pp. 48-49

Author(s):

Charles F. Simpson ◽

J. W. Carlisle ◽

J. M. Kling

Keyword(s):

Babesia Canis ◽

Phenyl Hydrazine ◽

Principal Mechanism

It is not known whether loss of nuclei from erythroblasts occurs by extrusion or by karyolysis, or both. In this study, blood from anemic dogs was utilized. Dogs were anemic as a result of severe parasitism with a hematozoic parasite, Babesia canis, or were made anemic by treating them with phenyl hydrazine hydrochloride.The mechanism of denucleation was the same in both types of anemia investigated. It was found that extrusion was the principal mechanism of denucleation from the erythroblast. However, probably karyolysis also occurred occasionally, prior to extrusion.

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Investigation of Tickborne Pathogens within Naturally Infected Brown Dog Tick (Ixodidae: Rhipicephalus Sanguineus) in Egypt by Light and Electron Microscopy

International Journal of Veterinary Science ◽

10.37422/ijvs/20.064 ◽

2020 ◽

Keyword(s):

Electron Microscopy ◽

Salivary Gland ◽

Light And Electron Microscopy ◽

Rhipicephalus Sanguineus ◽

Mammalian Host ◽

Babesia Canis ◽

Brown Dog Tick ◽

Transmission Electron ◽

Dog Tick ◽

Theileria Spp

Tick borne pathogens present a significant health challenge to animals and human because a single tick may transmit multiple pathogens to a mammalian host during feeding. The present study detected tick-borne pathogens from pet dogs. A total of 666 ticks were collected from 144 pet and sheltered dogs in Egypt from April to September 2018. For hemolymph, midgut and salivary gland smears 546 ticks were used as well as 360 egg smears from 120 female tick were examined by light microscope. The infected ticks were prepared for transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Ticks were identified; Rhipicephalus sanguineus. Light microscopy showed infection rates of 44.69%, 68.50% & 15.75%, in hemolymph, midgut and salivary gland, respectively. H. canis recorded the highest rates in hemolymph and midgut (35.89% & 49.82%, respectively), but Theileria spp. was the lowest (0.73% & 2.93%, respectively). In salivary gland smears, Babesia canis. was detected in 13.55% and Theileria spp. in 1.83%. Mixed infection in same tick was recorded in 4.76% &0.37% in midgut and salivary gland smears, respectively. Babesia canis stages were recovered from 15% of egg smears. R. sanguineus was natural infected by Babesia, Theileria, Hepatozoon and Anaplasma phagocytophilum as well as mixed infections of protozoa accompanied by a complicated sign of diseases and failure in accurate diagnosis.

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