Canine babesia 40%

Question 1

What is Babesiosis (canine)

Answer 1

Babesia spp intraerythrocytic blood protozoa parasites (apicomplexa>Piroplasmida> Babesia spp.) are transmitted by ixodid ticks- Rhipicephalus sanguineus (brown dog tick)- (females most important in transmission and must feed for 2-3 days)
More than 100 species of Babesia exist, affecting domestic animals (cattle, horses, sheep, goats, pigs, dogs, and cats), wildlife, and, occasionally, humans.

Question 2

What is Babesiosis (equine)

Answer 2

Horses- Equine piroplasmosis is caused by Theileria (formerly Babesia) equi or B caballi. Theileria equi > pathogenicity than is a B caballi.
It is transmitted by ioxodid ticks of the genera Rhipicephalus, Dermacentor, and Hyalomma.

Question 3

Transmission (Babesia)> pathogenesis

Answer 3

Transmission can occur through a tick bite or blood contamination (tranfusion) and can be transplacentally transmitted
Parasite creates fibrinogen like proteases to make cells sticky and damage> sequester in spleen>extra/ intravascular hemolysis.

Question 4

Incubation(babesia)

Answer 4

Once the host is infected, incubation occurs over 7-21 days

Question 5

Clinical signs (babesia)

Answer 5

Generally subclinical
Clinical Forms:
1. hemolytic anemia (primary ddx)
2. thombocytopenia (most common ddx)
3. multi-organ dysfunction MODS (rare).

Question 6

Diagnosis(babesia)

Answer 6

Can be challenging
1. Fresh blood smears (bilobed pear shaped organisms in cells) - pairs found inside RBC- B. gibsoni smaller than B. canis
2. PCR (highly specific)
3. IFA serology as screening test

Question 7

Most common breeds affected( canine babesia)

Answer 7

Pit bulls and American Staffordshire Terriers (B. gibsoni)- smaller in size and IMHA associated
Greyhounds (B. volgeli)- endemic, often subclinical and incidental in adults.

Question 8

Treatment(babesia)

Answer 8

Atovaquone in combination with azithromycin (More expensive, more effective for B. gibsoni)
Imidocarb dipropionate (less expensive- FDA approved)- good for B canis, less effective for B. gibsoni) or Diminazene aceturate- good for B canis, less effective for B. gibsoni)
Follow up testing post- tx= two negative PCR 30 days apart.

Question 9

prevention(babesia)

Answer 9

Tick repellants, donor screening for transfusions.