Clinical manifestations of canine babesiosis in Hungary (63 cases)

Abstract

Clinical observations of Babesia canis infection in 63 dogs during a 1-year period are summarised, demonstrating the pathogenicity of the Babesia strain endemic in Hungary. Most patients had babesiosis in the spring and autumn, correlating with the seasonal activity of ticks. Male animals appeared in higher numbers, probably due to an overrepresentation of outdoor dogs. Uncomplicated babesiosis was diagnosed in 32 cases. The disease affected dogs of any age in this study. Symptoms were similar to those published from other parts of the world: lethargy, fever, splenomegaly, pallor, icterus, haemoglobinuria and presence of ticks were the most common observations. Thrombocytopenia, lymphopenia and neutropenia were frequent haemogram changes. Imidocarb appeared to be highly effective in eliminating the Babesia infection. Thirty-one animals demonstrated babesiosis with complications. Most Rottweilers (7/9) developed complicated disease. Old age was a risk factor for multiple complications. Multiple organ manifestations had poor prognosis. Hepatopathy (44%), pancreatitis (33%), acute renal failure (ARF; 31%) and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC; 24%) were frequent complications, while immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia (IMHA; 10%), acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS; 6%) and cerebral babesiosis (3%) were rarely observed. There was a significant difference between the mean age of dogs having uncomplicated disease, babesiosis with a single complication and babesiosis with multiple complications (3.4, 4.8 and 8.6 years, respectively, p < 0.001). The recovery rate (78, 68 and 25%, respectively, p = 0.005) and mortality rate (3, 21 and 67%, respectively, p < 0.001) also tended to differ significantly in these groups. Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and

Assessment of renal dysfunction using urinary markers in canine babesiosis caused by Babesia rossi

“…True acute renal failure is a severe complication of infection by several species of Babesia, with a prevalence varying from 2.2% to 36% (Jacobson and Clark, 1994;Camacho et al, 2004;Garcia, 2006;Máthé et al, 2006). However, pre-renal azotemia could not be excluded in some of these cases (Garcia, 2006).…”

Alterations in some blood coagulation parameters in naturally occurring cases of canine babesiosis

“…A primary consequence of Babesia infections are complications related to changes in haemostasis which can alone, or together with other infection-related complications, influence the course and outcome of disease (Moore and Williams, 1979;Jacobson, 2006;Máthé et al, 2006). It seems that both underlying pathophysiological mechanisms, haemolysis and the acute phase response, separately or together, can activate the haemostatic system (Schetters, 2005;Ulutas et al, 2005).…”

“…Secondary hemostasis was evaluated by the assessment of PT and APTT. Endogenous antithrombotic activity was evaluated by measuring antithrombin III activity and by determining the concentration of TAT complexes; parameters used to define DIC in both humans and dogs (Moore and Williams, 1979;Furlanello et al, 2005;Máthé et al, 2006;Mastrorilli et al, 2007). It has been hypothesised that during the initial stages of DIC the patients are thought to be hypercoagulable as a result of circulating inflammatory mediators that activate haemostasis.…”

“…Furlanello et al (2005) reported that secondary haemostatic alterations were not common complications of canine babesiosis caused by large forms of Babesia spp. In contrast, Máthé et al (2006) reported that 24% of their cases developed DIC by their definition, while Ruiz de Gopegui et al (2007) described that 20% of their patients developed DIC as defined according to their criteria.…”

“…It is now clear that babesiosis influences haemostasis as evidenced by consumptive coagulopathy which has been described in natural and experimental Babesia infections in dogs (Schetters et al, 1997;Máthé et al, 2006;Ruiz de Gopegui et al, 2007). However, questions remain regarding the degree of activation and the clinical significance of these changes.…”