Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Babesia gibsoni infection found in Slovakian dogs with anemia
By Víchová, Bronislava et al.·Published in Ticks and tick-borne diseases·2016·Institute of Parasitology·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: First molecular identification of Babesia gibsoni in dogs from Slovakia, central Europe.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Two dogs in Slovakia were diagnosed with a severe infection called babesiosis, caused by a parasite known as Babesia gibsoni, which had not been previously identified in dogs in that region. This infection can lead to serious health issues, including hemolytic anemia (where red blood cells are destroyed) and fever. Traditional treatments for babesiosis may not work against this specific type, making accurate diagnosis essential for effective treatment. The dogs' blood samples were tested to confirm the presence of this parasite, highlighting the importance of awareness and proper testing for this disease.
People also search for: dog fever and anemia · Babesia gibsoni treatment · babesiosis in dogs Slovakia · why is my dog lethargic and anemic
Abstract
Canine babesiosis is a severe and potentially life threatening infection. In Europe, Babesia canis is considered to be the most common species responsible for the disease. We report two cases of babesiosis caused by Babesia gibsoni. The polymerase chain reaction, restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis and further sequencing of 18S rRNA gene fragments from blood samples of both dogs revealed the identity of isolates with B. gibsoni genotypes from other dogs worldwide. This species was previously not known to infect dogs in Slovakia. It is resistant to traditional anti-babesial therapy. Therefore, correct diagnosis is crucial for the successful treatment, especially in dogs with hemolytic anemia and febrile conditions.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26304014/