Successful Transmammary Treatment of Babesia gibsoni Infection in Newborn Puppies after the Administration of Malarone®, Azithromycin, and Artesunate to a Lactating Dam

Abstract

Babesia gibsoni is a parasitic protozoan transmitted through tick bites and can cause severe disease in dogs. It can also be transmitted through direct contact with infected blood during dog fights, blood transfusions, and from dam to offspring during the perinatal period, resulting in stillborn or dead newborn puppies. This study aimed to determine the incidence of infection, the viability of newborn puppies, and the degree of B. gibsoni transmission from infected dam to offspring during pregnancy and lactation. Using PCR-based molecular methods, B. gibsoni infection in a pregnant American Pit Bull Terrier and her newborn puppies was confirmed. The incidence of B. gibsoni infection in the litter reached 75%. Out of eight puppies, six were infected with B. gibsoni, and one died. A therapeutic protocol comprising Malarone^®, azithromycin, and artesunate was administered to a lactating B. gibsoni-positive bitch. By day 77 after birth, three out of five positive puppies showed negative PCR tests for B. gibsoni, indicating successful treatment through breast milk during nursing. In the two remaining positive puppies, therapy was started and parasitemia was successfully eliminated.

Keywords: Babesia gibsoni; Malarone®; artesunate; azithromycin; lactation; puppies.

Scheme 1

Graphic presentation of the PCR results in dam infected by B. gibsoni and her puppies during monitoring. PP, postpartum; +, B. gibsoni PCR-positive result; −, PCR-negative result; Ω, euthanasia. The beginning of the therapy is represented by a picture of the medication.

Figure 1

Electrophoretograms of the B. gibsoni infected dam 14 days before (a), 3 days after (b), and 28 days after parturition (c).

Figure 2

Pathological examination of euthanized puppy transplacentally infected with B. gibsoni showing splenomegaly and icterus of subcutaneous fat, liver, intestines, mesenteric fat (a), pericardial fat, liver, kidneys, and subcutaneous fat in the abdominal and pelvic regions (b). Splenic enlargement was the most significant pathological change observed (c).

Figure 3

Representative electrophoretograms of a PCR-negative puppy (a) and a PCR-positive puppy on days 28 (b) and 77 of age (c).