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Babesia canis spp. in dogs in Baghdad Province, Iraq: First molecular identification and clinical and epidemiological study.

ABSTRACT: Aims:The aim of this study was to investigate babesiosis in dogs of different breeds and ages and of both sexes in Baghdad Province by molecular detection of Babesia canis using conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing followed by phylogenetic analyses. Materials and Methods:Blood samples were collected from 310 dogs of different ages and breeds, and of both sexes in different areas of Baghdad Province from December 2018 to September 2019; during clinical examinations, body temperature, pulse, respiratory rate, and signs of diseases were recorded. PCR was used to amplify a specific 450-bp fragment of the 18S rRNA gene of B. canis. PCR products were sequenced, and MEGA 6.0 software was used for analysis. Chi-square and odds ratio tests were used to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of babesiosis. Results:Clinical signs of babesiosis included paleness or icterus of the mucus membranes, tick infestation, and febrile illness during the acute and subacute phase. The prevalence of infection with B. canis was 5.1%, with the higher prevalence in male dogs and in dogs <3 years of age. Huskies were more likely to be infected than other dogs. Infection prevalence was highest in April and June and was higher in spring and summer than in winter. Using sequence data, 14 isolates of Babesia canis canis and one isolate of each Babesia canis rossi and Babesia canis vogeli were identified. Phylogenetic analyses of B. canis canis revealed that three shared clades and several isolated lineages were similar to other isolates (97-99% similarity), whereas B. canis vogeli and B. canis rossi showed similarities of 98% and 99% with isolates from other geographical regions. Conclusion:This study provides the first molecular record and phylogenic analysis of B. canis in dogs in Iraq, and it will be valuable for confirming clinical signs and studying epidemiological risk factors of babesiosis in dogs.

SUBMITTER: Badawi NM

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7183455 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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<i>Babesia canis</i> spp. in dogs in Baghdad Province, Iraq: First molecular identification and clinical and epidemiological study.

Badawi Naseir Mohammed NM Yousif Afaf Abdulrahman AA

Veterinary world 20200328 3

<h4>Aims</h4>The aim of this study was to investigate babesiosis in dogs of different breeds and ages and of both sexes in Baghdad Province by molecular detection of <i>Babesia canis</i> using conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing followed by phylogenetic analyses.<h4>Materials and methods</h4>Blood samples were collected from 310 dogs of different ages and breeds, and of both sexes in different areas of Baghdad Province from December 2018 to September 2019; during clinical ...[more]

PMID: 32367967

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Project description:BackgroundTwo clustered clinical cases of canine babesiosis were diagnosed by veterinary practitioners in two areas of northeastern Italy close to natural parks. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of babesial infection in dogs, the etiological agents that cause canine babesiosis and the potential tick vector for the involved Babesia spp.MethodsThe study area was represented by two parks in northeastern Italy: Groane Regional Park (Site A) and the Ticino Valley Lombard Park (Site B). From March to May 2015 ticks were collected from the vegetation in three transects in each site. In the same period, blood samples were collected from 80 dogs randomly chosen from veterinary clinics and kennel located in the two areas. Morphological identification of the ticks was performed and six specimens were molecularly characterised by the amplification and sequencing of partial mitochondrial 12S rRNA, 16S rRNA and cox1 genes. For phylogenetic analyses, sequences herein obtained for all genes and those available from GenBank for other Dermacentor spp. were included. Dog serum samples were analysed with a commercial indirect fluorescent antibody test to detect the presence of IgG antibodies against Babesia canis. Ticks and blood samples were tested by PCR amplification using primers targeting 18S rRNA gene of Babesia spp.ResultsTicks collected (n = 34) were morphologically identified as adults of D. reticulatus. Twenty-eight ticks were found in all transects from Site A and the remaining six were collected in Site B. Blast analysis of mitochondrial sequences confirmed the morphological identification of processed tick specimens by revealing a highest nucleotide similarity (99-100%) with those of D. reticulatus available in the GenBank database. The phylogenetic trees were concordant in clustering D. reticulatus in a monophyletic clade. Seven dogs (8.8%) had antibodies against B. canis, most of which (n = 6) came from Site A. Analysis of nucleotide sequences obtained from one tick and from one dog identified B. canis displayed a 100% similarity to those available in GenBank.ConclusionsThis study morphologically and molecularly confirms the presence of D. reticulatus in Italy and links it, for the first time, with the occurrence of B. canis infection in dogs in this country.

Dataset Information

Babesia canis spp. in dogs in Baghdad Province, Iraq: First molecular identification and clinical and epidemiological study.

Publications

<i>Babesia canis</i> spp. in dogs in Baghdad Province, Iraq: First molecular identification and clinical and epidemiological study.

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