Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Babesia canis infection found in 20% of healthy dogs in western
By Imre, Mirela et al.·Published in The Journal of parasitology·2013·Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Seroprevalence of Babesia canis infection in clinically healthy dogs from western Romania.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A study found that nearly 20% of healthy dogs in western Romania tested positive for Babesia canis, a parasite that can cause serious health issues. The highest rates of infection were in hunting dogs and those living in rural areas. Interestingly, there were no significant differences in infection rates based on age, gender, or breed. This suggests that while many dogs may appear healthy, they could still carry this parasite, which is a concern for dog owners in the region. Regular check-ups and preventive measures are important for keeping dogs safe from this infection.
People also search for: dog Babesia canis infection · healthy dog blood test results · hunting dog health risks
Abstract
Serum samples from 197 clinically healthy dogs residing in the Banat Region, the western historical part of Romania, were assayed by an indirect fluorescent antibody test for the presence of anti-Babesia canis antibodies. Overall, the seroprevalence was 19.8% (39/197). The percent of seropositive dogs in rural areas (28.4%; 19/67) was significantly higher (P < 0.05) compared to dogs living in urban areas (15.4%; 20/130). Seroprevalence of B. canis infection in hunting dogs was also found to be significantly higher (P < 0.05) compared to canines with other lifestyles, but no significant difference was found between companion and kennel dogs. The statistical analysis showed that no significant differences (P > 0.05) were present between the seroprevalence of infected animals associated with age, gender, or breed. The hunting lifestyle was the only factor (OR = 4.57; 95% CI = 2.1-10.2; P = 0.002) positively associated with seroprevalence in dogs and can be considered the risk factor in the acquisition of infection. Also, the results of the present survey indicate that infection with B. canis in dogs is common in the sampling area and that it is an important pathogen for the local canine population.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22681255/