Canine Babesiosis (Pyroplasms) Flashcards
What are the 3 morphologies of babesiosis?
- Theileria (extraerythrocyte phase)
- Cytauxzoon in cats (extraerythrocyte phase)
- Babesia (transovarial transmission)
T or F. Babesia needs a canine reservoir to maintain disease.
False, doesn’t really need a dog reservoir because the tick wil pass it down a generation
What are the 3 large canine pyroplasms?
- Babesia canis canis (Europe, milder)
- Babesia canis rossi (south Africa, most virulent)
- Babesia canis vogeli (worldwide, most common in US)
What are the 3 small canine pyroplasms?
- Babesia gibsoni (worldwide)
- Babesia conradae (southern California)
- Babesia vulpes (US and Europe, used to be Theileria annae)
Which is easier to treat, large or small pyroplasms?
Large
What is the vector for Babesia canis canis (Europe)?
- Dermacentor reticulatus*/ Ornate cow tick
- This affects cats too!*
What is the vector for Babesia canis rossi (south Africa)?
Haemaphysalis elliptica
What is the most virulent canine pyroplasms?
Babesia canis rossi (south Africa)
What is the vector for Babesia canis vogeli (worldwide)?
Rhipicephalus sanguineus/ Brown Dog Tick
Which breed is most susceptible to Babesia canis vogeli?
Greyhounds (more prevalent and more severe)
What are the clinical signs of babesiosis (Babesia canis vogeli)?
- Most asymptomatic
-
Per-acute in puppies
- Severe anemia and fever
- Jaundice
- Tachycardia, dyspnea
- DIC, shock
-
Acute form
- Similar to per-acute, but less severe
- Hepatomegaly, splenomegaly
-
Chronic form
- Weight loss and anorexia
- Atypical locations (CNS, cardiopulmonary, renal failure in rossi)
What are the lab work changes in a dog with babesiosis (Babesia canis vogeli)?
- Regenerative anemia (moderate to severe)
- Thrombocytopenia
- Leukocytosis
- Hyperglobulinemia
How do you diagnose a dog with suspected babesiosis (large)?
-
Smear
- Low sensitivity (will not see many, depends on operator)
- Exception: per-acute puppies will have a lot (50%)
- Low sensitivity (will not see many, depends on operator)
-
IFA
- No cross reaction between B. vogeli and B. gibsoni
- Exposure X Disease (as you move south, more ticks)
- 4-fold increase
-
PCR
- Ideal for when you aren’t 100% sure
How do you treat a dog with babesiosis?
- Support therapy
-
Antiprotozoal therapy
-
Imidocarb IM
- Efffective for large Babesia
- Parasympathetic, bradycardia, even death (give Atropine first)
- Improves in 24 hours
-
Imidocarb IM
- Asymptomatic carriers? Are we really clearing them or just killing the ones we see, no right answer
How is babesiosis (large) prevented?
- Tick control (Advantix, Frontline, Seresto)
- Vaccine in Europe
- Babesia canis canis, not B. canis vogeli (no cross protection)
Is babesiosis (large) zoonotic?
Probably NOT
- 1 case (immunocompromised, splenectomized, diagnosed by serology)
Are all of the large babesias the same organism?
No, they have different geography, different vector, and different immunogenic activity
What is the vector for Babesia gibsoni?
Rhipicephalus sanguineus?
Emerging disease in the US*
Besides ticks, how is Babesia gibsoni transmitted?
Direct transmission
- History of recent dog bite wound (Pit bulls > fight > direct blood transfer)
- Dogs likely act as reservoirs
What are the clinical signs of babesiosis (Babesia gibsoni)?
- Vast majority asymptomatic
- Chronic: mild anemia
-
Crisis:
- Severe anemia and fever
- Thrombocytopenia
- Icterus (not very common)
- Dyspnea
- Tachycardia
How do you diagnose a dog with suspected babesiosis (Babesia gibsoni)?
-
Smear
- Low sensitivity (so small, may not be able to see)- parasitemia < 10%
- IFA
- PCR
How is babesiosis (Babesia gibonsi) prevented?
- Tick control
- Prevent dog fights
Is babesiosis (Babesia gibsoni) zoonotic?
No, people have their own small Babesia (Babesia microti) with vector Ixodes scapularis/ Blacklegged Tick/ Deer Tick (same as lyme disease)
How do you treat a dog positive for babesiosis (Babesia gibsoni)?
- Support
-
Antiprotozoal therapy
- Azithromycin + atovaquone PO for 10 days $$$
- Pentamidine IM (reduces morbidity and mortality)
What are the clinical signs of babesiosis (Babesia conradae- s. California)?
- Hemolytic anemia
- Vomiting
What are the clinical signs in babesiosis (Babesia vulpes- US and Europe)?
- Subclinical in red fox (Vulpes vulpes)
- Anemia
- Thrombocytopenia
- Renal failure
- Associated with dog fights like B. gibonsi?
What is the pathology of babesiosis?
Replicates in RBCs > hemolysis (direct or immune-mediated)
How is babesiosis in general transmitted?
-
Ticks
- Ticks are TRUE reservoirs
- Transtadial and transovrial transmission
-
Direct transmission
- Blood transfer/ transfusion
What type of agent is Babesia?
Intraerythrocyte protozoa
