The First Records of Canine Babesiosis in Dogs from Dermacentor reticulatus—Free Zone in Poland

Abstract

Tick-borne microorganisms belong to important etiological agents of many infectious diseases affecting humans and animals. Among them, there are haemoprotozoans of the Babesia genus, which infect erythrocytes of a host and may cause many clinical symptoms. Canine babesiosis is an emerging tick-borne disease in Southern and Central Europe. In this study, we report two cases of symptomatic canine babesiosis caused by Babesia canis in domestic dogs from the Silesian Voivodeship, Poland, as well as the presence of Dermacentor reticulatus ticks detected on one of the Babesia-infected dogs (D. reticulatus-free zone). The molecular analysis confirmed the presence of Babesia canis in the dogs’ blood, and the sequencing analysis showed that the obtained sequence is 100% identical to the sequence of Babesia canis isolate 3469 (sequence ID: KX712122.1). Our findings should raise awareness of B. canis infection among dog owners and veterinarians in the region where B. canis was not previously reported in residential, non-traveling dogs, as well as ensuring that adequate diagnostic methods are available.

A global systematic review and meta‐analysis on the babesiosis in dogs with special reference to Babesia canis

“…However, in central and northeast European regions, the disease is an emerging one (Bajer, Beck, et al, 2022;Pawełczyk et al, 2022).…”

“…However, in central and northeast European regions, the disease is an emerging one (Bajer, Beck, et al., 2022 ; Pawełczyk et al., 2022 ). The geographical distribution of Babesia parasites in these regions is remarkably diverse, which highly depends on the distribution of the vector, the type of detection techniques, the species of Babesia , the country and cases under investigation (Solano‐Gallego et al., 2016 ).…”

“…Moreover, it can be due to the diagnostic methods with higher sensitivity (e.g. molecular‐based techniques), which are applied in veterinary clinics (Pawełczyk et al., 2022 ). In European regions, the Dermacentor reticulatus is the vector for transmission of Babesia species in dogs and the spread of B. canis to new regions have a significant relationship with the wide distribution of this tick species (Drehmann et al., 2020 ; Dwużnik‐Szarek et al., 2021 ; Hornok et al., 2016 ; Rubel et al., 2016 ).…”

Current Status and Challenges Associated with Tick-Borne Pathogens and Diseases: Where Do We Stand?

“…Previous scientific reports confirmed an area in Poland known as the "gap zone", which is free of D. reticulatus ticks and spans from West Pomerania and Pomerania Voivodeships in Northern Poland to Opole, Silesia, Lesser Poland, and Subcarpathia Voivodeships in the Southern part of the country. In this region, Pawełczyk et al [13] confirm two cases of B. canis infection in domestic dogs with no travel history. Additionally, this study also confirms D. reticulatus tick infestation in Babesia-infected dogs with no travel history in the previous 8 weeks.…”

Pathogenetic relationship between kidney pathologies and the microcirculatory capillary layer in dogs under the influence of Babesia canis

“…Dermacentor reticulatus Fabricius, 1794 and Ixodes ricinus Linnaeus, 1758 are adapted to parasitizing dogs. They are specific carriers of pathogens of the protozoan disease -babesiosis (Pawełczyk et al, 2022). Babesia spp.…”