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Review
. 2016 Jun 11;9(1):336.
doi: 10.1186/s13071-016-1596-0.

A review of canine babesiosis: the European perspective

Laia Solano-Gallego  1 , Ángel Sainz  2 , Xavier Roura  3 , Agustín Estrada-Peña  4 , Guadalupe Miró  5
Affiliations
Review

A review of canine babesiosis: the European perspective

Laia Solano-Gallego et al. Parasit Vectors. .

Abstract

Canine babesiosis is a significant tick-borne disease caused by various species of the protozoan genus Babesia. Although it occurs worldwide, data relating to European infections have now been collected for many years. These data have boosted the publication record and increased our working knowledge of these protozoan parasites. Both the large and small forms of Babesia species (B. canis, B. vogeli, B. gibsoni, and B. microti-like isolates also referred to as "B. vulpes" and "Theileria annae") infect dogs in Europe, and their geographical distribution, transmission, clinical signs, treatment, and prognosis vary widely for each species. The goal of this review is to provide veterinary practitioners with practical guidelines for the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of babesiosis in European dogs. Our hope is that these guidelines will answer the most frequently asked questions posed by veterinary practitioners.

Keywords: Babesia; Babesiosis; Canine; Consensus; Guideline.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
The distribution of canine Babesia species in Europe in dogs based mainly on molecular analysis. Note the presence of B. canis and B. microti-like sp. mostly in the cooler climate zones of north and central Europe while infection with B. vogeli is mainly around the Mediterranean basin. The references for each country are included in the reference list. Figure updated from Solano-Gallego & Baneth [4]
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Photomicrograph showing a large-sized Babesia spp. (B. canis) in canine erythrocytes. Scale-bar: 10 μm
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Photomicrograph of a small-sized Babesia spp. (B. gibsoni, arrow) in canine erythrocytes. Scale-bar: 10 μm
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Photomicrograph of a small Babesia (B. microti-like sp., arrow) in canine erythrocytes. Scale-bar: 10 μm
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Diagnostic algorithm for canine babesiosis
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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