5 important points before testing for Canine Babesiosis
Introduction:
- Canine babesiosis is a worldwide, primarily tick-borne, protozoal disease.
- The disease is predominantly characterized by a direct parasitic and inmmune-mediated erythrocyte destruction, causing mild to severe systemic clinical manifestations.
- Babesia infections can be acute, subclinical or chronic.
- The infection is more prevalent in certain seasons and geographical regions with high prevalence of tick vector.
- Canine babesiosis is frequently accompanied by Ehrlichia canis and other tick transmitted infections.
- The predominant species known to naturally infect dogs are B. canis and B. vogeli (large pyriform) and B. gibsoni (small pleomorphic).
- Accurate species classification is important for providing the appropriate treatment and is difficult to achieve using serological tests and/or microscopy.
- PCR is consider to be the most sensitive and species specific for the diagnosis of canine Babesiosis.
Main features
Haemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, fever
and splenomegaly are the most predominant features.
Accuracy
Accurate detection and species recognition are important for the selection of correct therapy and predicting the course of disease.
Blood smear evaluation
Capillary blood from ear Prick samples is recommended.
Blood smear is considered to have low sensitivity and prone to subjective errors in species classification especially in low parasitemia or chronic infection cases.
Serology limitations:
False Negative: generation of a detectable level of serum antibody can take up to 10 days post infection. False Positive: positive antibody test may indicate past exposure rather than present disease. Inaccurate species classification due to cross reactivity between Babesia species.
PCR assays
In clinic PCR tests, such as PCRun® detection kits, provide a rapid, sensitive, and species-specific diagnosis of canine babesiosis in acute and persistent infections, allowing to treat appropriately and effectively.
Endemic Map
