Canine babesiosis: A literature review of prevalence, distribution, and diagnosis in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Abstract

Canine babesiosis is a tick-borne disease with worldwide distribution and global significance. Traditionally, canine babesiosis was caused by B. canis (large Babesia) and B. gibsoni (small Babesia) based on cytological examination of stained blood smears. Currently, molecular techniques have demonstrated that several Babesia species infect dogs: B. canis, B. vogeli, and B. rossi (large forms) and B. gibsoni, B. conradae, and B. vulpes (small forms). In this study, we compiled and reviewed currently available data on Babesia infections in dogs in Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as on distribution of Babesia species with respect to prevalence, geographic location, and methods of detection. Forty-three studies on canine babesiosis published from 2005 to 2019 were included. The publications retrieved reported three species of Babesia (B. vogeli, B. gibsoni, and B. caballi) based on molecular confirmation of the species. Babesia vogeli was reported in Mexico, Costa Rica, Granada, Haiti, Nicaragua, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Paraguay, Peru, and Venezuela. In contrast, B. gibsoni was recorded in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Brazil. Babesia caballi was found in a dog from Brazil. Babesia prevalence in dogs varied considerably based on parasite species and geographic location, with values close zero to 26.2%. Besides molecular techniques such as PCR, studies included examination of blood smears by microscopy and/or serologic tests. Few countries in the region, e.g., Brazil and Costa Rica, possess profound data availability, whereas the majority of them have scarce information or no data. A deeper understanding of the ecology and epidemiology of Babesia spp. in dogs is needed for the region.