scholarly journals Over 20 years of research on canine babesiosis at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of WULS-SGGW in Warsaw

2017 ◽  
Vol 73 (10) ◽  
pp. 606-612
Author(s):  
Wojciech Zygner ◽  
Olga Gójska-Zygner ◽  
Paweł Górski ◽  
Justyna Bartosik
Keyword(s):  
Veterinary Medicine ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Dermacentor Reticulatus ◽  
Endocrine Disorders ◽  
Babesia Canis ◽  
Pathological Changes ◽  
Canine Babesiosis ◽  
Euthyroid Sick Syndrome ◽  
Veterinary Surgeons ◽  
Pituitary Thyroid Axis

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..

scholarly journals Euthyroid Sick Syndrome in Canine Babesiosis Caused by Babesia Canis

2012 ◽  
Vol 56 (4) ◽  
pp. 525-527 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wojciech Zygner ◽  
Olga Gójska-Zygner ◽  
Halina Wędrychowicz
Keyword(s):  
Serum Levels ◽  
Babesia Canis ◽  
Serum Urea ◽  
Canine Babesiosis ◽  
Euthyroid Sick Syndrome ◽  
High Prevalence

Abstract The aims of this study were estimation of thyroxin status in dogs infected with B. canis, and determination of the association between azotaemia and concentrations of total thyroxin (TT4) and free thyroxin (FT4) in canine babesiosis. Concentrations of TT4 and FT4 were determined using an immunoassay in 23 dogs infected with B. canis (nine azotaemic dogs and 14 non-azotaemic dogs). Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the concentrations of TT4 and FT4 in groups of azotaemic and non-azotaemic dogs. Correlations between azotaemic parameters (i.e. serum urea and creatinine) and TT4 and FT4 concentrations were calculated. The obtained results showed high prevalence of dogs infected with B. canis showing decreased TT4 and FT4 concentrations. No difference between concentrations of TT4 and FT4 in azotaemic and non-azotaemic dogs was demonstrated, but statistically significant correlations between the level of TT4 and FT4 and serum levels of urea and creatinine were shown.

scholarly journals Epizootiological Study of the Occurrence of Canine Babesiosisin Southwestern Slovakia

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.

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

Biologia ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 61 (2) ◽  
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.

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

2013 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 334-340 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Schaarschmidt ◽  
Urs Gilli ◽  
Bruno Gottstein ◽  
Nelson Marreros ◽  
Peter Kuhnert ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dermacentor Reticulatus ◽  
Babesia Canis ◽  
Canine Babesiosis

scholarly journals Characteristics, immunological events, and diagnostics of Babesia spp. infection, with emphasis on Babesia canis

2015 ◽  
Vol 59 (4) ◽  
pp. 495-504 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krzysztof Kostro ◽  
Krzysztof Stojecki ◽  
Maciej Grzybek ◽  
Krzysztof Tomczuk
Keyword(s):  
Babesia Canis ◽  
Babesia Species ◽  
Canine Babesiosis ◽  
Worldwide Distribution ◽  
Veterinary Surgeons ◽  
Veterinary Importance ◽  
Tick Borne Disease ◽  
Vector Borne ◽  
Significant Health ◽  
Babesia Spp

AbstractVector-borne infection constitutes a significant health issue in dogs worldwide. Recent reports point to an increasing number of canine vector-borne disease cases in European countries, including Poland. Canine babesiosis caused by various Babesia species is a protozoal tick-borne disease with worldwide distribution and significant veterinary importance. The development and application of molecular methods have increased our knowledge about canine babesiosis, its prevalence, and clinical and pathological aspects of the infection. Parasitologists and veterinary surgeons need an accurate description of the species responsible for canine babesiosis to improve diagnostic and therapeutic methods, as well as predictions for the course of the disease. Therefore, we decided to summarise recent knowledge concerning Babesia species and B. canis.

Weight management: insights from the science of human behaviour change

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 396-401
Author(s):  
Tamzin Furtado
Keyword(s):  
Veterinary Medicine ◽  
Motivational Interviewing ◽  
Weight Management ◽  
Behaviour Change ◽  
Companion Animals ◽  
Human Behaviour ◽  
Veterinary Surgeons ◽  
Conversational Style ◽  
Welfare Problem ◽  
Veterinary Surgeon

Helping animal owners to recognise and manage obesity in their animals is a particularly complex area of communications in veterinary medicine. Several studies have outlined the difficulty veterinary professionals face in such discussions, including frustration with the client, embarrassment (particularly if the owner is also overweight), and a sense of inevitable failure. However, obesity continues to be a serious and prevalent welfare problem in dogs, cats, and probably other companion animals as well — hence those discussions will only continue. This review considers veterinary surgeon–client interactions around obesity from the perspective of behaviour change psychology and motivational interviewing, in order to determine how veterinary surgeons and nurses can best assist owners. We consider how an approach based on a supportive and empathetic conversational style could be best suited to these discussions, leading to tailored weight management solutions. Nurses are ideally placed to work with owners in this way.

What Matters Most to Residency and Intern Selection Committees in Veterinary Medicine?

2021 ◽  
pp. e20200098
Author(s):  
Kenneth D. Royal ◽  
Kent G. Hecker
Keyword(s):  
Internal Medicine ◽  
Veterinary Medicine ◽  
Residency Program ◽  
Recent Survey ◽  
Class Rank ◽  
Letter To The Editor ◽  
Veterinary Surgeons ◽  
Residency Selection ◽  
Letters Of Recommendation ◽  
What Matters

A recent survey of members of residency selection committees for the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine and American College of Veterinary Surgeons boards found letters of recommendation to be the most important factor when reviewing a resident’s application followed by class rank as the second most important factor. These statistics indicate an interesting, but possibly troubling trend. This Letter to The Editor discusses the major problems concerning these findings and what residency program committees might consider as an alternative.

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

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.

scholarly journals Contribution to canine babesiosis in the Czech Republic

2012 ◽  
Vol 81 (2) ◽  
pp. 91-95 ◽  
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.

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