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      A Study of Naturally Acquired Canine Babesiosis Caused by Single and Mixed Babesia Species in Zambia: Clinicopathological Findings and Case Management

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          Abstract

          A retrospective and prospective analysis of clinical records of dogs diagnosed with Babesia infections was carried out for the years 2000 to 2013 from practices in Lusaka, Zambia. Records of 363 dogs with confirmed Babesia infections were analysed using demographic factors including sex, breed, age, and clinical signs in relation to haematological findings and Babesia species. The clinical and laboratory findings observed are described as well as Babesia species identification. The study included 18 breeds and the highest proportion were mongrels (32.2%), males representing 64.5% of the population. The most common presenting problems were anorexia (65.3%) and lethargy/weakness (65.3%). The most common clinical signs were fever (87.3%), pallor (52.3%), lymphadenopathy (47.4%), and presence of ticks (44.9%). Anaemia (96.4%) and nucleated erythrocytes (42.2%) were the most common laboratory findings. A mixed infection of Babesia rossi and Babesia gibsoni was present in 59.7% of dogs, whilst 8% and 32.2% had B. rossi and B. gibsoni as a single infection, respectively. Case management mainly involved therapy with tetracyclines and imidocarb and was usually accompanied by clinical improvement. This study highlights, for the first time, the presence of B. gibsoni in natural dog populations in Zambia, where previously only B. rossi was reported.

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          Tick-borne infectious diseases of dogs.

          Tick-transmitted infections are an emerging problem in dogs. In addition to causing serious disease in traditional tropical and semi-tropical regions, they are now increasingly recognized as a cause of disease in dogs in temperate climates and urban environments. Furthermore, subclinically infected companion animals could provide a reservoir for human tick-transmitted infectious agents, such as Ehrlichia chaffeensis, Ehrlichia ewingll, the Ehrlichia phagocytophila group and Rickettsia conorii. Here, we discuss the emergence of new canine tick-transmitted diseases, which results from several factors, including the expansion of the tick range into urban and semi-urban areas worldwide, the movement of infected dogs into previously non-endemic areas, and the advent of novel molecular techniques for diagnosis and pathogen identification.
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            Managing canine vector-borne diseases of zoonotic concern: part two.

            Despite recent achievements in scientific knowledge related to canine vector-borne diseases (CVBDs) of zoonotic concern, their management is still impaired by several neglected issues related to accurate diagnosis and effective treatment of both single and co-infections. A better understanding of the pathogenesis and the progression of clinical, hematological and biochemical abnormalities of CVBDs will be important in choosing appropriate diagnostic tests and in establishing the best strategies for treatment and control. Nonetheless, the diagnosis and control of zoonotic infections in clinically healthy dogs remain challenging. This review discusses the crucial aspects involved in the diagnosis, treatment, prevention and control of CVBDs of zoonotic concern.
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              Chemotherapy against babesiosis.

              Babesiosis is caused by a haemotropic protozoal parasite of the genus Babesia, member of the phylum Apicomplexa and transmitted by the bite of an infected tick. There are many Babesia species affecting livestock, dogs, horses and rodents which are of economic significance. Infections can occur without producing symptoms, but babesiosis may also be severe and sometimes fatal caused by the intraerythrocytic parasite development. The disease can cause fever, fatigue and haemolytic anemia lasting from several days to several months. There are a number of effective babesiacides, but imidocarb dipropionate (which consistently clears the parasitaemia; often the only available drug on the market) and diminazene aceturate are the most widely used. Some Babesia spp. can infect humans, particularly Babesia microti and Babesia divergens, and human babesiosis is a significant emerging tick-borne zoonotic disease. Clinical manifestations differ markedly between European and North American diseases. In clinical cases, a combination of clindamycin and quinine is administered as the standard treatment, but also administration of atovaquone-azithromycin is successful. Supportive therapy such as intravenous fluids and blood transfusions are employed when necessary. More specific fast-acting new treatments for babesiosis have now to be developed. This should be facilitated by the knowledge of the Babesia spp. genome and increased interest for this malaria-like parasite.
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                Author and article information

                Journal
                J Parasitol Res
                J Parasitol Res
                JPR
                Journal of Parasitology Research
                Hindawi Publishing Corporation
                2090-0023
                2090-0031
                2015
                22 November 2015
                : 2015
                : 985015
                Affiliations
                1Department of Clinical Studies, University of Zambia, School of Veterinary Medicine, P.O. Box 32379, 10101 Lusaka, Zambia
                2Vet-Serve Veterinary Practice, P.O. Box 38851, 10101 Lusaka, Zambia
                3Kaoma District Veterinary Offices, Department of Veterinary Services, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, Zambia
                4Nsama District Veterinary Offices, Department of Veterinary Services, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, Zambia
                5Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Laboratory of Surgery, Hokkaido University, Kita-18, Nishi-9, Kita-Ku, Sapporo 060-0818, Japan
                6Department of Disease Control, University of Zambia, School of Veterinary Medicine, P.O. Box 32379, 10101 Lusaka, Zambia
                7Showgrounds Veterinary Clinic, P.O. Box 30333, 10101 Lusaka, Zambia
                Author notes
                *King Shimumbo Nalubamba: kshimumbo@ 123456yahoo.com

                Academic Editor: Ana Maria Jansen

                Article
                10.1155/2015/985015
                4670660
                26682062
                5c0e6aa4-547e-4a71-869b-a8ddec40b141
                Copyright © 2015 King Shimumbo Nalubamba et al.

                This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

                History
                : 31 July 2015
                : 6 October 2015
                : 27 October 2015
                Categories
                Research Article

                Parasitology
                Parasitology

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