Canine Babesiosis in China Caused by Babesia gibsoni: A Molecular Approach.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:To provide a point of reference to study the epidemiology and clinical expression of canine babesiosis in China. METHODS:A total of 30 dogs infected with canine babesiosis were evaluated by mean of clinical history, physical examination, hematological, restriction fragment length polymorphism of PCR products (PCR-RFLP) and sequencing analysis. RESULT:The most prevalent clinical abnormalities were lethargy (100%), anorexia (100%), pale or icteric mucous membranes (80%), fever (70%) and dark urine (70%). Hematology parameters revealed that anemia and thrombocytopenia were the major abnormalities in blood of dogs infected with canine babesia. The results of PCR-RFLP and sequencing analysis indicated that B. gibsoni was the main species responsible for canine babesiosis cases at the time of the study in Nanjing, China. CONCLUSIONS:The results provide valuable information for better understanding of the epidemiology of canine babesiosis in China.

SUBMITTER: Yao DW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4386035 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Apr-Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature