Co-infection with Babesia canis and Babesia gibsoni in a dog

A four-year-old intact male Boxer, that had a history of travelling to Serbia, was referred for lethargy and anaemia. Shortly before the dog was referred, it was diagnosed twice with an infection with Babesia canis and was treated with imidocarb both times. A blood smear evaluation was indicative of the presence of intraerythrocytic piroplasms. After receiving inconclusive results regarding the type of piroplasm, the dog was diagnosed with simultaneous infections with B. canis and Babesia gibsoni via real-time polymerase chain reaction (rt-PCR) testing. The dog was treated with imidocarb, atovaquone and azithromycin, and in a follow-up examination, the PCR results were negative for B. canis and B. gibsoni. Several weeks later, the dog was presented again, and a PCR was positive for B. gibsoni. After atovaquone and azithromycin failed to eliminate the parasites, a therapy attempt using metronidazole, clindamycin and doxycycline was initiated. Six months after diagnosis, the treatment appeared successful in eliminating B. gibsoni. This case report describes the clinical findings of the co-infection and the initiated diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.

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

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.

Clinical variations observed among the main hemoparasitosis caused by Rhipicephalus sanguineus in dogs

Hemoparasitosis are diseases of great importance in the practice of a small animal’s veterinarian, due to their high number of cases in the clinical routine of these species, and the wide occurrence of their vectors. Related to hemoparasitosis in dogs, the tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus has the greatest importance due to parasitizing dogs, perpetuating hemoparasitosis in this host group. The present work describes a literature review about the three main hemoparasitosis in the routine of a veterinarian in Brazil, ehrlichiosis, caused by Ehrlichia canis, babesiosis caused by the protozoa Babesia canis and Babesia gibsoni, and anaplasmosis caused by Anaplasma platys, comparing them regarding the differences between clinical signs and laboratory alterations, such as the different types of anemia caused by these conditions that culminate in clinical signs related to them. It also aims to describe the similarity in the diagnostic techniques used and infection treatments, which in all cases is used tetracycline, the most commonly used is doxycycline, and highlight the need for further studies about this topic.

Simultaneous Exposure to Angiostrongylus vasorum and Vector-Borne Pathogens in Dogs from Italy

Several drivers have recently fostered the expansion of Angiostrongylus vasorum throughout Europe, where Vector-Borne Pathogens (VBPs) are also spreading. However, the level of simultaneous risk of infection is still unknown in canine populations. This study evaluated the simultaneous exposure to A. vasorum and major canine VBPs in dogs of Italy. Sera of 294 dogs were subjected to two ELISAs, detecting A. vasorum circulating antigens and antibodies against the parasite, and to the following assays: (i) SNAP® 4DX (IDEXX Laboratories Inc.) detecting Dirofilaria immitis antigens, and antibodies vs. Borrelia burgdorferi, Anaplasma spp. and Ehrlichia spp. and (ii) IFAT for the detection of antibodies vs. Leishmania infantum, Babesia canis and Rickettsia conorii. Twenty-two (7.5%, CI: 4.8–11.1%) and six (2%, CI: 0.7–4.4%) dogs scored positive for circulating A. vasorum antibodies and antigens, respectively. Seventeen dogs (5.8%, CI: 3.4–9.1%) were positive for A. vasorum antibodies + at least one VBP, three (1%, CI: 0.2–3%) for A. vasorum antigen + at least one VBP, while one dog (0.3%, CI: 0.01–1.88%) was positive for A. vasorum antigen + A. vasorum antibodies + B. canis antibodies. These results show that dogs living in different regions of Italy are at risk of simultaneous infections with both A. vasorum and VBPs. Despite the same scenario being likely in other countries of Europe, the current knowledge is scant. Therefore, further studies are warranted to amplify current epizootiological information and to understand whether control programs should be improved.

Molecular Characterization and Assessment of Hematobiochemical and Oxidative Indices in Dog Naturally Infected with Babesia canis vogeli

Background: The study was aimed at molecular detection and assessment of important biomarkers in the natural cases of canine babesiosis. Methods: Blood samples of 239 dogs were examined in PCR by targeting 18S rRNA gene. Hematobiochemical, oxidant-antioxidant and plasma cortisol parameters were estimated in the dogs on the day of presentation. Result: The 18S rRNA gene sequence showed 100% homology with Babesia canis vogeli and phylogram formed a tight cluster of B. canis vogeli originated from India/other countries. Higher prevalence rate (P less than 0.05) was noted in the PCR (7.95%) than the cytological technique (3.76%). Hemogram of infected dogs showed decrease (P less than 0.05) in the mean value of hemoglobin, RBC, WBC, HCT, whereas an increase in MCHC, lymphocytes, eosinophils, monocytes and thrombocytes. The ALT (49.29±1.53 U/L), AST (48.33±2.93 U/L), total protein (10.56±0.60 g/dL), creatinine (1.41±0.10 mg/dL) and urea (19.32±0.97 mg/dL) showed significant (P less than 0.005) increase, whereas decrease in the levels of serum glucose (82.76±2.78 mg/dL) in the infected dogs. Activity of MDA and SOD was significantly (P less than 0.01) increased (7.50±7.08 nmole/µL blood) and decreased (0.015±3.91 nmole/µL blood) in the diseased dogs, respectively. Plasma cortisol concentration was 11.10±7.84 nmol/L and 2.77±5.78 nmol/L (P less than 0.01) in the infected and uninfected dogs, respectively.

HEMOPARASITOSE EM UMA CANINA- RELATO DE CASO

Introdução: A hemoparasitose é uma patologia de alta casuística na rotina clínica veterinária, desencadeada por bactérias, protozoários, helmintos, possuindo como principal transmissor o carrapato em períodos do ano de maior incidência de calor e umidade, tendo em vista o potencial zoonótico. A babesiose é causada pelos protozoários Babesia Canis e Babesia gibsoni transmitida pelo carrapato Rhipicephalus sanguineus, esses parasitas causam a hemólise das hemácias. Já a anaplasmose é oriunda de bactérias intracelulares Anaplasma platys ou Anaplasma phagocytophilum transmitidas pelo carrapato Rhipicephalus sanguineus, causando trombocitopenia. A rangeliose é ocasionada por um piroplasma Rangelia vitalli, transmitida por carrapatos Rhipicephalus sanguineus e Amblyomma aerolatum, se replicando nos eritrócitos. Objetivo: Relatar um caso clínico de uma canina. Relato de caso: canina castrada, sem raça definida, com 1 ano e dois meses, pesando 11,4 Kg, sendo atendida em uma clínica veterinária particular em Caxias do Sul/RS, apresentando apatia, hematoquezia, anorexia, prostração, epistaxe, sangramento em pontas de orelhas, mucosas hipocoradas com petéquias e febre. Durante o atendimento foi realizada coleta sanguínea para avaliação hematológica, esfregaço sanguíneo periférico da orelha, bioquímica sérica (creatinina, fosfatase alcalina, ureia, transaminase pirúvica) e urinálise, apresentando alterações, tais como anemia regenerativa, leucocitose por neutrofilia com desvio a esquerda, linfocitose, trombocitopenia, na urinálise houve presença de hemoglobina, leucócitos, proteinúria. No exame de esfregaço de sangue periférico apresentou-se negativo para hemoparasitas. O diagnóstico definitivo foi através da Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase (PCR), na qual evidenciou os agentes patogênicos de babesiose, rangeliose e anaplasmose. O tratamento instituído foi doxiciclina (5 mg/kg/q.12h durante 28 dias), azitromicina (10 mg/Kg/q.24h durante 10 dias), diaceturato de diminazeno (0,5ml/2Kg) repetindo em 14 dias a dose com prévia aplicação de atropina (0,044 mg/Kg), suplemento vitamínico mineral aminoácido (1 ml/q.24h). O animal se manteve bem clinicamente durante o tratamento, obtendo cura da enfermidade. Conclusão: Mesmo com o diagnóstico negativo de esfregaço sanguíneo periférico, com a suspeita clínica do animal foi solicitado PCR para confirmar a patologia, assim foi de suma importância a pesquisa de hemoparasitas pelos sinais clínicos do canino, juntamente do tratamento precoce e assertivo.