Infectious Dz - Blood Borne 1 Flashcards
What type of parasite is Babesia?
an intra-erythroyctic protozoan parasite of the Apicomplexa phylum
What Babesia species infects dogs?
Babesia canis vogeli and Babesia gibsoni
Is Babesia canis vogeli a large or a small babesia species?
large
What is the vector for Babesia canis vogeli?
Brown dog tick
What breed of dog is predisposed to Babesia canis vogeli infection?
Greyhounds
What breed is predisposed to Babesia gibsoni infection?
American Pit Bull Terrier
Is Babesia gibsoni a large or small Babesia species?
small Babesia species
What Babesia species affect cats?
Babesia felis, Babesia cati, and Babesia leo
How is Babesia transmitted?
Tick vectors, fighting, congenital transplacental transmission, and blood transfusions
Is Babesiosis acute or chronic? Uncomplicated or severe?
all of the above
What clinical signs are associated with uncomplicated Babesiosis?
Anorexia, lethargy, weakness, pyrexia, and weight loss
Sometimes - jaundice, mucosal pallor, and urine discoloration
What disease processes are associated with uncomplicated Babesiosis?
Thrombocytopenia and anemia
What type of thrombocytopenia do Babesia infected patients have?
Immune-mediated thrombocytopenia - do not bleed in this condition
What types of anemia can Babesia infected patients get?
Regenerative, hemolytic, and immune-mediated
What causes the anemia in patients infected with Babesia?
Direct RBC injury by the Babesia parasites
What are the clinical features of severe Babesiosis?
Severe sepsis-like syndrome with multiple organ dysfunction
Acute renal failure
Neurologic Complications
DIC
Acute respiratory distress syndrome
What will a CBC show in patients with Babesiosis?
Thrombocytopenia, regenerative anemia, +/- autoagglutination, Coombs’ positive, and spherocytes
What will a chemistry panel show in patients with Babesiosis?
Nothing pathognomanic - hyperglobulinemia and mildly increased liver enzymes
What will a urinalysis show in Babesiosis patients?
Variable - Bilirubinuria, hemoglobinuria, and proteinuria
What is the best way to diagnose Babesia?
A combination of microscopy, serology, and PCR